I recently assigned a one-page written paper in my college sophomore class the results were fragmented sentences, lack of punctuation and correct grammar, and no coherent thought process. You bet it was. This calls for a new paradigm in K-12 to prepare students for college work. Which is a big assignment for one column, but here goes. Classroom teachers can hardly accomplish their jobs while worrying about becoming the next target of Jesse Jackson s wrath or a defendant in a federal lawsuit.
Federal court is no place to settle such supposed grievances.
A suitable review board of arbitration, like a property tax board, consisting of teachers, parents, and a school board member should quickly settle such disputes. That is the trend in district courts already arbitrate before you can show up in court. Teachers have the right to have students who want to learn, read their books, attempt to answer questions in class, and turn assignments in on time. This will not happen without parental involvement. Very few students outperform their role models.