Educators say student misconduct has increased − but progressive reforms or harsher punishments alone won't fix the problem

Only 13% of principals believe suspensions reduce misbehavior, according to a national survey. Ableimages/DigitalVision Collection/Getty Images

The 2022-23 school year was a particularly violent year for educators.

In Florida, a high school student beat a paraprofessional unconscious. A 15-year-old in Georgia left her teacher with difficulty walking. And a group of students in Texas sent their assistant principal to the hospital after an assault.