Tony Blair Think Tank Proposes Legal Powers to Address School Misbehavior Crisis

The Tony Blair Institute recommends granting teachers authority to compel parental involvement in tackling student behavior issues, citing safety and educational concerns.

• The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) has called for new legal powers allowing teachers to require parents to engage with schools over their children's disruptive behavior.
• The think tank highlights a 'crisis' in school safety and discipline, with surveys revealing widespread classroom disruptions and concerns over bullying and violence.
• TBI suggests policies similar to those addressing truancy, including potential fines and referrals to social services for uncooperative parents.
• The report links improved behavior to better academic outcomes and argues that current challenges are contributing to teacher burnout and retention issues.
• Critics, including teaching unions, warn that the proposals could strain school resources, harm parent-teacher relationships, and overlook the need for broader social and mental health support.

3 Articles

The Times The Telegraph The Guardian