Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NYCLU Slams DOE for Elementary School Crackdown
By
John Del Signore
Published Mar 10, 2011
Modified Mar 10, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Mar 10, 2011
Modified Mar 10, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
As we've frequently noted, teenagers, as a whole, comprise an unruly, dangerous mob that continues to threaten the every fabric of our society. We ban them from public spaces, we install sonic devices that drive them away with frequencies only their ears can hear, and we crack down on them for peddling candy on mass transit. But let's face it: teenagers are a symptom, not a cause. To nip this menace in the bud, schools have been suspending elementary students in record numbers, according to a new NYCLU analysis.
Elementary school-age students were hit with 6,119 suspensions in the 2008-09 school year, a dramatic increase from 3,469 suspensions back in 2002-03— a 76% increase. The Education Department says the spike in suspensions is due to a "zero tolerance" policy that requires suspensions for any student caught fighting. But critics say the suspensions are excessive; UCLA education researcher Daniel Losen tells the Daily News, "This sort of frequent reliance on removing kids from school backfires. It doesn't work as a deterrent."
It's a good point, because what does an unruly student want more than a get-out-of-school pass? In order for suspensions to be effective, perhaps the policy could go further, and send these young roustabouts to work in labor camps making textbooks or washing dishes in cafeteria kitchens? Of course, parents are upset—one Staten Island mom is furious that her 5-year-old son who hit his teacher was suspended for a week. "He's suspended and he's 5. I think there could have been a better reaction," Vilma Limani, 28, tells the News. Perhaps a glass of warm milk, some chocolate chip cookies, and a refreshing nap would be more appropriate.
Donna Lieberman, the NYCLU's Executive Director, tells us, "The dramatic rise in suspensions of the youngest children in schools raises serious concerns. Instead of providing support to kids with behavior issues, the DOE is pushing them out of schools. This is an unacceptable trend. And in this particular case in Staten Island, the school ignored the parents' plea for help and never even advised what services were being provided or included the parent in the process until they suspended the child. That's particularly problematic."
Tagged
discipline
elementary school
nyclu
students
suspension
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .