According to a class action lawsuit filed by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) , a six year old boy was arrested and chained because he did not move when his teacher told him to move . No one was being hurt, no one was in danger, no crime was being committed. Little J.W. simply didn't do as he was told. He didn't follow directions.
While this same behavior happens every day in elementary schools across the country, J.W. attends an elementary school in the Louisiana Recovery School District (RSD). Created to accommodate the children whose families returned to post-Katrina New Orleans, unlike most elementary schools those in RSD have armed police officers on-site who follow the direction of school principals. In J.W.'s case, according to the SPLC Complaint:
A few days later, J.W. got into an argument with another student about a seat in the cafeteria. This time a school police officer:
The lawsuit seeks relief for J.W. and all the students of RSD under the First, Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. constitution for unreasonable search and seizure. As well J.W. asserts state tort claims for the physical and emotional injuries suffered as a result of this brutal policy and practice.
However, Louisiana is not the only state that allows corporal punishment in public schools. Do you know if the school your child attends allows school staff to physically restrain students and, if so, under what circumstances and with which methods? Can your child be held back from striking another person or can your child be chained to a chair and left unattended? Should a six year old ever be shackled?
Whoa. I can understand maybe restraining kids in the middle of a fight (like holding onto the child’s waist or arms to stop the altercation) but SHACKLING?! A six year old?! Is this the US or Iran? I’m actually kind of scared now for when my son goes to school.
Twitter: Jakearyehmarcus
On this point, there may not be much difference between the U.S. and Iran and many parents don’t know it. While I homeschool my sons now, two of my boys went to school while corporal punishment was still legal in schools in my state. I had no idea.
I have never heard of anything so absurd! Are we barbarians? This is crazy for any child to be treated this way – let alone a 6 year old!
Judy@MommyNewsBlog´s last blog ..Suggestions For Starting a Breastfeeding Support Bag Project
When I was in second grade (many, many years ago), my teacher tied a classmate to her chair with a jump rope. I really thought things would be better by now, but it seems that they are worse.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by phdinparenting, Judy Masucci and Jake Aryeh Marcus, Kimber Williams. Kimber Williams said: RT @MommyNews: RT @JakeAryehMarcus Could Your Six Year Old Be Arrested, Handcuffed and Shackled in School? http://bit.ly/dcGf8y [...]