In Syracuse, in North Carolina in the USA, only 25% of 12-year-olds can read, write or do arithmetic to the appropriate basic level.
In neighbouring Raleigh, 91% of 12-year-olds can read, write and do arithmetic to the appropriate level. (Transforming education )
In Raleigh they try to make sure that there are not too many 'difficult children' in any one classroom.
In 1966, Professor James Coleman, in the USA, found that the single biggest factor determining how well you do at school isn't parents, teachers, school buildings or genes.
It is the other kids in the classroom. (Transforming education )
If a fair number of the kids are disruptive and disobedient, you won't learn much.
But if the great majority are hard-working and stick to the rules, you will probably learn. (Transforming education )
Our conclusion is that disruptive kids should be permanently removed from classes and taught in separate institutions.
We should not let the bad guys get away with it.On 22nd October 2009, we read that in the UK a pupil, 15, who won't stand for his headmaster has been barred from his school
Daniel Walton was suspended from Macclesfield High in Cheshire when he barged past a teacher after being ordered to sit in an 'isolation' room for refusing to stand.
Jobless 40-year-old Tim Walton, Daniel's father, is supporting his son.
Walton says that when the four-and-a-half-day suspension ends, Daniel will still refuse to stand for the head.
Walton said: 'The school sent a letter saying that I told Dan, "Kick the headteacher in the nuts if he kept you against your will".
'I think it's diabolical. My boy shouldn't be excluded for something I have said. I don't regret it.'
He said his daughter also objected to another rule at the school - no make-up - and would tell the head 'where to get off'.
He added: 'She won't go the wheelie bin without make-up on. If they tell her to take off her make-up, she will get her coat.'
Earlier in 2009 a 15-year-old girl at the school, Megan Gillan, took a fatal overdose of painkillers following a hate campaign by fellow pupils.
The UK is in a mess because the bad guys are getting away with bad behaviour.
On 22 October 2009, we read that in the UK some serious assaults are being dismissed by the police as 'no crimes'
According to the Chief Inspector of Constabulary, thousands of incidents of serious violence are being written off by officers when they should be properly investigated as crimes.
The police inspectorate found one in three decisions to record a violent incident as 'no crime' were wrong.
Among the cases was a woman left battered and bruised by an attacker who hit her, grabbed her by the neck and threw her on the floor.
The police recorded no crime as having taken place.
It is time to sack some top policemen.
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Crimes of omission
