I know I can sound like the former teacher I once was in Hillsborough and back in Pennsylvania. Case in point: the need to address a county discipline process that has racial disparities–and the recommendations of a task force that include the adoption of a student bill of rights. Among them: a notice for students to sign before any meeting that might result in a suspension. The notice, in effect, would inform students of their rights.
I don’t have a problem with such procedure. Sounds like a teachable moment for all of us who live by societal covenant, direct or implicit. But I would expand on it. Since rights don’t exist in vacuums and students are heavily influenced by home environments, why not include a student-and-parent bill of responsibilities as well? Let’s put rights squarely in the context they belong in