Troublemakers- Carla Shalaby

Schools today still have a lot of rules and restrictions, just like the article talks about. Security has gotten even stricter, with cameras, metal detectors, and even police officers on campus. While these are meant to keep students safe, they also make schools feel like places of control instead of learning. On top of that, schools monitor students online, sometimes even outside of school, which takes away privacy. Instead of encouraging curiosity and independence, schools often focus on making sure students follow rules without questioning them.

Discipline is another big issue, especially for students of color who are punished more harshly than their white classmates. Even though people talk about fixing the school to prison pipeline, suspensions and expulsions still happen way too often. Schools also rely heavily on standardized testing, which makes learning feel more about memorization than creativity. A lot of schools have even cut down on recess and arts programs just to make more room for test prep, which makes the school feel even more rigid and stressful.

At the same time, students today are pushing back and speaking up more than before. With social media, they can organize protests and call attention to unfair rules, whether it’s about gun violence, mental health, or racial injustice in schools. Some schools are also starting to focus on mental health and student-led learning, but there’s still a long way to go. Even though the system hasn’t changed much, the fact that more people are recognizing these problems and fighting for change gives hope for the future.