A good state law would deal with this problem by including penalties for failing to enforce a district code as well as provisions requiring full and honest reporting of code violations. School administrators hesitate to take a student to court because the process is time-consuming and expensive. Also, in a curious way, it seems stacked in favor of the student. Giving the court an opportunity to hear the side of the youngsters whose education has been hurt by a violent or disruptive child would redress the balance a little. A school-based arbitration process.
Arbitration is a quick and inexpensive way of settling disputes.
The decision that is made generally stands up in court. This separate school judicial system could handle many of the problems that never get to court under the current system. But if we are to make our schools safe and orderly, parents must also get involved. Parents of violent or disruptive students often show up to plead for their child. However, few parents of the 95 percent who want to learn ever step forward to demand safe and orderly schools for their kids.