Student discipline is a persistent, pressing crisis in Tennessee schools, disrupting learning, harming teacher morale/retention, and requiring urgent, collective action to restore order and support educators.
Key Points:
• Classrooms have become “battlegrounds of misbehavior” due to societal issues (e.g., disintegrating families, low parental engagement) spilling into schools.
• Teachers face chaos beyond teaching, unsustainable workloads (including counseling roles), inconsistent policies, and lack of administrative backing—driving attrition and burnout.
• Public schools are unfairly blamed for broader societal problems; families, communities, and schools must share responsibility for instilling values and accountability.
Critiques & Examples:
• Lenient or inconsistent approaches exacerbate issues; teachers need protection from violence and realistic expectations.
• References the 2021 Teacher’s Discipline Act as a positive model (allowing removal of disruptive students for safety).
Recommendations:
• Adopt consistent, data-driven frameworks with strong accountability.
• Boost administrative/parental support, teacher involvement in policy, resources for safe environments, and statewide collaboration.
• Prioritize transparency, community partnerships, and cohesive policies to address root causes.
Educators see student discipline issues as an urgent priority and are resolute—discipline must be a top priority to create safe, effective learning spaces, retain teachers, and help all students thrive. Ignoring it undermines other education reforms.
Professional Educators of Tennessee have offered long-standing advocacy for practical, educator-centered fixes to behavior challenges. I plan to continue to champion the issue.
JC Bowman 
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