Author: Michael Gilbert

How should schools respond to behavioral infractions? What needs to happen when there is defiance, aggression or other destructive behavior? How is justice viewed and applied? In 2014, The New York State Office of the Attorney General reported that the Syracuse City School District had failed to afford students adequate legally required appeals. The attorney general also found SCSD had demonstrated bias against disabled students and students of color in discipline processes. The state attorney general and the school district came to an agreement to ensure fair and appropriate disciplinary practices. The goal was to reduce the use of school…

In April, public school students in grades 3 through 8 will take Common Core ELA (English Language Arts) and mathematics tests required by the New York State Testing Program. The testing occurs April 14 through 16 for ELA and April 22 through 24 for math. Many parents have questions about these exams, and there has been a great deal of debate regarding their merit. But the concerns are not just about the tests; it’s the year-round impact of the increased emphasis on testing. There has been an ongoing focus in the media regarding the idea that American schools are failing…

Every day our children are confronted with moral dilemmas that require their hearts and minds work together to solve a problem. Bullying is one such challenge. Bullying hurts all children involved in the incidents:  the bully, the bullied and the bystander. Despite recent legislation and numerous school programs, there has been minimal improvement. Perhaps this is because policies only address the symptoms of bullying, not the underlying causes. Developing social-emotional skills within all children can improve a school’s climate and decrease the frequency of bullying behavior. Therefore, it is essential that children possess skills such as compassion and empathy. How…