Kicking students out for good
Yesterday, Dr. Alonso sent a letter to the school system about Tuesday's explosions at Patterson High. In it, he wrote that he would recommend to the board of education, subject to due process, "the EXCLUSION of any student who is judged guilty of intentionally setting a fire or detonating an explosive.... That means that I will recommend that any student who engages in such criminal behavior will be permanently excluded from ALL of our schools."
This paragraph stopped me because, in my eight years covering education, I've always been familiar with the term expulsion, not exclusion. Expulsion means different things in different places, but in Baltimore, expelled students have the opportunity to attend an alternative school. Success Academy, the new school in North Avenue, is designed specifically for those on long-term suspension and expulsion. I hadn't realized that the system could kick a student out for good.
But evidently it can. Last academic year, 13 students -- all between the ages of 16 and 18 -- were expelled from city schools and not reinstated, according to system spokeswoman Edie House. To be eligible for exclusion, House said, a student must have endangered the safety of others and generally have a history of disciplinary problems. Those who are excluded are provided with information about GED and job training programs. And special education students are never excluded.
Many of you have probably seen Alonso's letter already, but I'm pasting it below for those who haven't.
October 15, 2008
Dear Colleagues, Families and Students,
Yesterday, school police and city police collaborated in arresting two students alleged to have set off explosives in one of our high schools. Actions that put into danger the safety of students and staff have no place in our schools.
Please be advised that I will recommend to the board, subject to due process, the EXCLUSION of any student who is judged guilty of intentionally setting a fire or detonating an explosive from the Baltimore City Public Schools. That means that I will recommend that any student who engages in such criminal behavior will be permanently excluded from ALL of our schools.
This is a painful decision, because there is nothing that I care about as much as having every single child in Baltimore City at home, learning in one of our schools. But it’s a necessary decision given the potential harm to life of such irresponsible and criminal action. Please communicate this to your communities, parents and peers.
Sincerely,
Andres A. Alonso, Ed.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Categories: Baltimore City, School Safety (Or Lack Thereof)
Baltimoresun.com's 
Comments
This is another example of Dr. Alonso's reactionary tactics. He's quick to take a tough stance when it's good for his image, but very aloof otherwise.
Where are his tough stances at Thurgood Marshall High School? (A school that is anything but good for his PR image). We've been given an equally weak administrator than the one removed from the building, and the criminal activities going on in our building continue uninhibited. Just come and look at our fire alarms that don't work when pulled, security camera's that are too choppy to actually be used to prevent crime or identify criminals, or large body of students who are under the influence of drugs during the school day... come exclude some of them, Dr. Alonso, and I might not believe this is just another one of your PR moves.
Posted by: A Skeptical Teacher | October 19, 2008 12:39 PM
I agree with the comments above. Our school (supposed to be one of the best in the city) has been taken over by gangs and violence. We have at least 2 or 3 fights per day, kids deal drugs in plain sight, teachers are threatened if they even question why students are in the hallway, kids from the community walk in and out of our building all day long. It is a shame because there are many great students who want to learn in a safe environment. Why can't we get rid of the kids who don't want to be there?
Posted by: MervoTeacher | October 22, 2008 9:03 PM
The high schools are in crisis, just when you have some order the system orders principals to take back 18 - 20 yr old students. Many of whom see this as an opportunity to hang with friends, sell drugs or be with fellow gang members. The drop outs should have been sent to special schools where programing could have been offered to serve their needs. The regualar city schools don't have the set up to deal with the huge issues these students bring back with them. Again we'll spend 90% of our time on the few that return, rather than focus on our students who have done the right thing. In this city the only folks who get attention are the trouble makers. And for those who say "it's so great to have these drop outs back" I say you're clueless to the fight we have to keep things going in this system. Kids who wanted to attend always could have, but we could screen. Now we welcome some of the worst back with open arms and give them free reign to distroy our schools.
Posted by: Stu | October 23, 2008 10:38 PM