Yes I know! But that's another thing I suspect. The real troublemakers are not punished because the administrators are afraid of them and their families. The ones who are disciplined are the ones who aren't likely to fight back with violence.
Actually, for the most part the kids had to do something pretty bad to even get the parent's involved. Really, most schools are afraid to tick parents off. I know it doesn't seem like that from the news, but it seems (in my experience, both as a teacher and a parent) to be true.
It's NOTHING like when I was a kid. We were afraid of the teachers and principals (in a respectful sort of way). The kids today aren't afraid of much.
I'm sure there is some abuse, there always is when anyone has power over another, but I think the problems with schools are more subtle than that.
susie