Your Opinion: More offenses require more discipline

Dear Editor:

I applaud the St. Nicholas Academy for their efforts in providing a boarding school for underprivileged children. (Oct. 13 edition of News Tribune) This certainly appears to be worthy of the support of individuals (not government). For anyone looking for some place to make a worthwhile donation this appears to be a worthy cause.

The Rapid Rehousing Pilot Program (Oct. 15 edition of News Tribune) also appears to be worthy of praise and support.

Being made aware of two programs, in less than a week, that appear to rely on the good will of private citizens is indeed refreshing.

An article titled "Report: Discipline more likely for black students" also appears in the Oct. 13 News tribune. The article stated that black students and students with disabilities are disciplined more often than other school children. I find it odd that the article never mentions the number of offenses committed by these students, compared to other students. Such information would seem pertinent to developing an informed opinion on the issue.

I searched through Missouri's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website but was unable to find race specific information concerning disciplinary issues. If a reader has the data that shows black students being 4.5 times more likely to be suspended perhaps they also have, and would be willing to share, the information on the number of disciplinary incidents broken down by race.

My supposition is that these students are disciplined more often because they commit more infractions. If this is the case I wonder why no mention of the duties of parents is made. My great-granddaughter started kindergarten this year. Her teacher should not have to waste an inordinate amount of time dealing with children whose parents have refused to provide them with the basic social skills required to be successful in a classroom environment.