Former teachers often say they left the classroom because of a lack of "administrative support." Often what they mean is that school administrators failed to back them up when they tried to enforce classroom discipline or punish students for cheating or plagiarism. An article in the Baltimore Sun illuminates both sides of this struggle. Teachers grumble about the time and paperwork required to impose penalties like suspension, expulsion, or failing grades, and note that their efforts are often thwarted by administrators who cave in to the threat of litigation and to well-connected parents who call the school board. They also complain that, when they send disruptive students to the principal's office, the kids are often sent back to class, which signals to other students that misbehaving is not taken seriously. Administrators point to court decisions that, they say, tie their hands by expanding the due-process rights of students. They also blame teachers for not resolving discipline problems themselves, noting that most office referrals come from a small number of teachers.
"Teachers say the law adds to disorder in classroom," by Jonathan Rockoff, Baltimore Sun, March 23, 2003.