-Caveat Lector- Responding to violence in Ohio schools by Ingrid Hubbard, editor "All the policies in the world won't help if we don't have the necessary training to deal with violence," said Greta Gardner, deputy director of policy services at OSBA. The recent tragedies across the nation remind Ohioans of the importance of school safety issues. Teachers are not only concerned with the violence, but also with the breakdown of discipline which can have a tremendous impact on teaching and learning. The National Education Goals has stated that by the year 2000, "all schools in America will be free of drugs and violence and the unauthorized presence of firearms and alcohol, and offer a disciplined environment that is conductive to learning." Each school develops its own code of conduct which includes a zero tolerance policy. This code appears in the student's handbook and is posted in a central location in each school. Parents have access to the code through the student's handbook. Another way schools deal with violence is through student disciplinary policies which deal with expulsion, suspension, hazing, gangs and dangerous weapons in the schools, among other items. "It's wonderful to have all these policies in place, but if people aren't trained to identify problems which may turn violent or how to effectively deal with an issue, or if someone doesn't come in to train people on what to do in certain circumstances, the violence will continue," said Gardner. Some policymakers believe that individualized discipline and strict penalties are the answer, while others believe that improving the school environment through prevention programming is best. Gardner thinks the teachers and guidance counselors need to be able to identify students that are having a problem with anger and get them to the appropriate people. "Unfortunately, we don't have enough guidance counselors in the schools to identify problems in children to intervene with prevention programs," said Gardner. "But, they also need to teach kids how to deal with anger." Gardner also believes that more parents need to get involved. More and more children are being taken out of the school system and put into home schooling because of the violence in schools. "Policies won't protect you. We need assistance in providing training for school administrators and teachers, and to incorporate a program to tell a teacher that someone is threatening to bring a gun to school. People just have to be more aware," said Gardner. The National Association of State Boards of Education suggests that: Each board should develop a plan for dealing with violence among young people and its effect on teaching and learning. Then develop policies and programs that effectively respond to the problem. The board must protect the right of students and staff to feel safe and secure in a classroom as well as the right of children and youth to receive a public education. To do so, the board must assure that a continuum of sanctions is available for children or youth who have been disruptive or delinquent. Expulsion without alternatives is not a solution to youth violence. At a minimum, alternative programs with strong academic and counseling components should be provided. Board plans should incorporate long-term strategies to prevent violence that include a focus on school climate and culture; cross-disciplinary instruction about violence, conflict resolution and ethics; and intervention programs such as peer mediation, mentoring and counseling services. Only by balancing prevention and intervention measures can educators truly reduce the amount of violence and make a positive impact on the learning environment. "What we could be saying might not be right for every building, and administrators and boards must realize that," Gardner said. "We have all this information out there, and most districts have the majority of those policies, but the problem is that you can never be prepared for what's going to happen." June 1998 Table of Contents OSBA Journals | OSBA Home page Ohio School Boards Association, 1998 ----------------------- Bard Visit me at: The Center for Exposing Corruption in the Federal Government http://www.xld.com/public/center/center.htm Federal Government defined: ....a benefit/subsidy protection racket! DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! 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