Summary
The article discusses the impact of strict discipline rules in a charter school network in Indiana. The school has high academic performance but also a high suspension rate, especially among students with disabilities. Some parents feel the rules may unfairly punish students who struggle to follow them due to conditions like ADHD.
Key Facts
- Thirteen-year-old Levent attends a middle school in Indianapolis that is praised for its test scores.
- Levent has ADHD, which the school recognizes as a disability, and he has been disciplined frequently.
- Levent's mother, Shania, feels that his suspensions are not considering his disability.
- Nationwide, students with disabilities are suspended more often than their peers.
- Paramount Schools of Excellence suspends students with disabilities three times as often as the state average in Indiana.
- The school is known for its calm classrooms and good academic results.
- For every 100 students in general education at Paramount, there are about 45 suspensions, compared to a state average of 10.
- For students with disabilities, there are about 73 suspensions for every 100 students at Paramount, compared to the state average of 22.
