Kid suspended for drawing a gun

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

I was raised to be accountable for my actions and if I mess up, I pay for it.

As was I, but I was never punished for the sake of punishment without accompanying dialog as to why what I did was wrong, to find out why I did it, and to discuss what a more appropriate behavior would have been. That's what's missing with the "Suspend first, ask questions later" attitude. The hypothetical kid did something wrong, but unless someone bothers to talk with him, learn why, and find out if he needs help finding better ways to express himself, nothing is solved. Best case, you've got a frustrated kid who feels he can't trust school administration. Worst case, you've given a troubled kid something to be angry about.