ERIC ED473627: The Safety Zone, 2000.

27 Pages·2000·0.84 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
ED 473 627
SO 033 677
Fiscus, James W., Ed.; Pollack, Ira, Ed.
AUTHOR
The Safety Zone, 2000.
TITLE
Northwest Regional Educational Lab., Portland, OR. National
INSTITUTION
Resource Center for Safe Schools.
Department of Justice, Washington, DC. Office of Juvenile
SPONS AGENCY
Justice and Delinquency Prevention.; Office of Elementary and
Secondary Education (ED), Washington, DC. Safe and Drug Free
Schools Program.
2000-00-00
PUB DATE
NOTE
26p.; For year 2000 only 3 issues were published, spring (1),
summer (2), and fall (3). For Volume 3, see SO 033 678. Text
on colored backgrounds may not reproduce clearly.
AVAILABLE FROM
Safety Zone Subscriptions, NWREL-NRCSS, 101 S.W. Main, Suite
500, Portland, OR 97204. Tel: [phone] (Toll Free); Fax:
503-275-0444; e-mail: [email protected]. For full
text: http://www.safetyzone.org/.
Collected Works
PUB TYPE
Non-Classroom
Serials (022)
Guides
(055)
Safety Zone; v2 n1-3 Spr-Fall 2000
JOURNAL CIT
EDRS Price MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage.
EDRS PRICE
Civil Rights; Death; Discipline; Elementary Secondary
DESCRIPTORS
Education; Profiles; Public Schools; Resource Materials;
*School Administration; *School Culture; *School Safety;
Student Attitudes; Student Reaction; Student Rights; *Youth
Problems
ABSTRACT
This publication is concerned with how to keep schools safe.
The spring 2000 issue "Zero Tolerance: Effective Policy or Display of
Administrative Machismo?" (James W. Fiscus) discusSes how difficult it is to
determine just what zero tolerance means and reminds readers that schools
were required to pass zero tolerance rules to remain eligible for funds under
the Elementary. and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Other articles in the
newsletter are "Check Your Free Resources First" (Michael S. Dorn; Karen
Franklin; Sonayia Shepherd) and a guest column, "Student Voices: We Must Be
Partners" (Jennifer McKay). The summer 2000 issue "Fighting Hate
Speech" (James W. Fiscus) discusses hate crime statistics and current trends
in hate groups. Other articles include a guest column, "Youth Summits Give
Students a Voice" (Nisan Chavkin) and a student column, "Student Voices:
Helpful Insults" (Zack Moore). The fall 2000 issue "New Reports Help Schools
Assess Threats" (Ira Pollack) discusses two reports, one by the FBI and one a
collaboration by the Secret Service and the U.S. Department of Education,
which offer help for schools in assessing threats. Other articles include a
guest column, "When Death Affects Your School" (Scott Poland) and "Positive
Discipline Changes School Climate." Each issue also contains a list of
nonprofit and governmental school safety resources, a news and announcements
section, and a calendar of events.
(BT)
Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
from the original document.
The Safety Zone, Volume 2, Issues 1-3,
Fall 2000.
Spring
Fiscus, James W., Ed.
Pollack, Ira, Ed.
Northwest Regional Educational Lab, OR.
BEST COPY AVAILABLE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Educational Research and Improvement
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION
CENTER (ERIC)
)11 This document has been reproduced as
received from the person or organization
originating it.
Minor changes have been made to
improve reproduction quality.
2
° Points of view or opinions stated in this
document do not necessarily represent
official OERI position or policy.
NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER
FOR SAFE SCHOOLS
I SPRING 2000
VOLUME 2 I ISSUE 1
ZERO TOLERANCE: EFFECTIVE
POLICY OR DISPLAY OF
ADMINISTRATIVE MACHISMO?
By JAMES W. FISCUS
any student bringing a weapon
hero tolerance policies
to school, though local regu-
aimed at keeping weapons
lations must allow for a case-
out of schools have spread
by-case modification of the
across the nation like fog on
one-year expulsion by the
a winter morning. Trying to
"chief administrative offi-
determine exactly what zero
Free Resources
cer" of the school district.
tolerance means, whether
Student Voices
The act also requires refer-
such policies are fairly en-
ral of the student to the jus-
forced, and if zero tolerance
News and
tice system.
policies have reduced vio-
Announcements
he act's definition of
lence in our schools is rather
weapons includes guns,
like staring into that winter
Calendar
bombs, grenades, rockets,
fog bank
and missiles. However, it
Vero tolerance policies first
1
allows states to broaden
came to wide public attention
their definitions, and many
in 1986 when the U.S. attor-
jurisdictions include knives
ney in San Diego used the
and other "weapons" within
OPERATED BY:
slogan to explain his seizure
their zero tolerance policies.
of boats found with even small
Pennsylvania's school code
amounts of drugs. In 1988, U.S.
(see photo) defines a weap-
Attorney General Ed Meese
on "as any knife, cutting in-
authorized customs agents
NORTHWEST REGIONAL
strument, cutting tool, nun-
to seize vehicles and pass-
EDUCATIONAL LABORATORY
chaku, firearm, shotgun and
ports of anyone crossing
FUNDED BY
any other tool, instrument,
the U.S. border with trace
or implement capable of
amounts of drugs.'
inflicting serious bodily
an the latter part of the
injury," according to the
1980s and into the early 1990s,
York Dispatch.
schools across the began en-
W)chool districts were re-
acting zero tolerance policies
SAFE AND DRUG-FREE
quired to pass zero toler-
SCHOOLS PROGRAM
against drugs, weapons, use
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
ance rules to remain eligible
of tobacco, and school disrup-
EDUCATION
FIRST-GRADER TIMIERE CROSBY RESTS HIS HEAD ON HIS MOTHER.
for funds under the Elemen-
tion. Federal law further ad-
LENNIECE, DURING AN EXPULSION HEARING TO DETERMINE WHETHER
tary and Secondary Education
vanced zero tolerance polices
Act (ESEA). By 1997, 90 per-
THE BOY VIOLATED THE YORK. PENNSYLVANIA. SCHOOL DISTRICTS ZERO
in schools when President
cent of the nation's schools
Clinton signed the Gun-Free
TOLERANCE POLICY ON WEAPONS POSSESSIONS IN SCHOOLS BY POSSESS-
OFFICE OF JUVENILE
had zero tolerance policies
Schools Act (GFSA) in 1994.
ING A NAIL CLIPPER CONTAINING A TWO-INCH BLADE. YORK CITY SCHOOL
JUSTICE AND
DELINQUENCY PREVENTION
'Effie 1994 act requires expul-
BOARD REDUCED THE BOY'S INITIAL FOUR-WEEK EXPULSION TO 10 DAYS.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
sion for one calendar year of
JUSTICE
APAVIDE WORLD PHOTO
Please see Zero Tolerance. Page 2
3
BEST COPY AVAILABLE
ZERO TOLERANCE: CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Defining Zero Tolerance
Equity
tended message to students and un-
dercut respect for such policies, ac-
Two questions of equity are frequently
Interestingly, the 1994 act does not
use the term "zero tolerance," and
cording to Nisan Chavkin, Associate
asked about zero tolerance polices: Are
Director of the Constitutional Rights
thus does not define the concept,
they applied equally and fairly to all
Foundation Chicago (CRFC), and the
students in a school or district, or are
making it more a term of public rela-
harsher penalties applied to minority
Youth for Justice representative on the
tions than of law. In March 1998, Na-
NRCSS Advisory Committee. (Chavkin
and poor students? And should they be
tional Center for Education Statistics
said he was not speaking for the two
applied as absolute law, or should ad-
(NCES) issued a statistical analysis,
organizations.)
ministrators use their review authority
"Violence and Discipline Problems in
to temper them with mercyor at least
"In law-related education (LRE), we
U.S. Public Schools: 1996-97," that re-
with an understanding that situations
teach kids about public policy. After
ported on "zero tolerance" policies.
participating in LRE lessons on school
change from child to child?
Kathryn Chandler, Program Director of
weapons policies, students of all ages
Studies of zero tolerance policies show
the NCES Interagency and Household
invariably come to the conclusion that
that they are often applied more vigor-
Studies Program, said that the 1998 doc-
crafting these kinds of policies is very
ument was a one-time report, but that
ously against minority students. A re-
view of data on suspensions from the
difficult, that these policies must allow
her office has prepared a new survey
for reasonable exceptions," Chavkin
that is expected to be repeated every
U.S. Office for Civil Rights found that
"more than two-thirds" of the 3,000
said. "The example of mandatory mini-
two years.
mum penalties in the federal criminal
districts studied showed higher rates
The new survey defines zero tolerance
justice system's sentencing guideline is
for expulsion of black students than for
as any policy that provides a "known
instructive. Passed originally at the urg-
white students. The higher expulsion
consequence" if a given act is commit-
ing of reformers to curb arbitrary and
rates do not appear to be related to
tedbringing a gun to school, for ex-
ampleregardless of the severity
even capricious sentencing practices,
either the higher poverty level among
one result of this policy has been the
African Americans or to a higher level
of the consequence. A "known con-
loss by judges of their ability to make
sequence" specifying a minor punish-
of disruptive behavior by black students.'
WITH THE MANDATORY
reasoned and nuanced judgments."
ment would be as much "zero toler-
EXPULSIONS UNDER THE ACT.
Flexibility and Pressure
ance" as long-term suspension from
THERE HAS BEEN A TREND TO
Effectiveness
School administrators clearly feel con-
the school.
Have zero tolerance policies lowered
REDUCE THE SEVERITY OF
tradictory pressures over enforcement
Chandler added that even before the
the level of school violence or reduced
of zero tolerance policies. W. Michael
Gun-Free Schools Act, schools often
CONSEQUENCES DEFINED AS
the presence of drugs at schools?
used the term "expulsion" to mean
Martin, Supervisor of the Office of Ele-
EXPULSION ... ALLOWING
While the U.S. Department of Education
mentary Education for the Loudoun
different things. With the mandatory
SCHOOLS TO MEET THE
has reported an increase in the total
expulsions under the act, there has
County (Virginia) Public Schools, wrote
REQUIREMENTS OF THE
number of expulsionsin some states,
in the American School Board Journal
been a trend to reduce the severity of
FEDERAL LAW WHILE
expulsions have doubled since enact-
that administrators are damned if they
consequences defined as expulsion,
ment of zero tolerance policiesit
MODERATING THE ACTIONS
she said, allowing schools to meet the
"zealously enforce zero tolerance" and
has also reported that expulsions for
damned if they are "seen as too lax or
requirements of the federal law while
TAKEN AGAINST STUDENTS.
"firearms" violations have dropped
too tolerant of weapons violations" in
moderating the actions taken against
their schools.'
students. As a result, the new ques-
nearly in half, from 6,093 in 1996-97 to
3,930 in 1997-98.' At first glance, that
As administrators try to balance the
tionnaire uses the phrase "removal
drop appears to strongly support zero
from school with no continuing edu-
rights of individual students against the
tolerance policies. The issue is not that
rights of the entire student body to be
cational services for at least one year"
clear-cut, however.
safe, Martin said, "some school boards
when asking about school policies.
Firearms expulsion numbers appear
and superintendents are beginning to
The traditional understanding of zero
particularly difficult to compare at this
look for a middle ground between 'au-
tolerance policies remains generally
tomatic' expulsions for weapons vio-
point. Paul M. Kingery, Director of the
accurate, however, in that they tend
Hamilton Fish Institute, notes that some
lations and 'laissez-faire' messages
to treat "both minor and major inci-
states included numbers for firearms
resulting in inconsistent enforcement"'
dents with equal severity in order
Zero tolerance policies that are inflex-
and other weapons as a single category
to 'send a message' to potential
ibly administered may deliver an unin-
violators."'
Please see Zero Tolerance, Page 7
4
3
NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER FOR SAFE SCHOOLS
CHECK YOUR FREE
RESOURCES FIRST
By MICHAEL S. DORN, KAREN FRANKLIN, AND SONAYIA SHEPHERD
facilitate mock crisis exercises, handle
Communities should make an indepen-
We still shake our heads in disbelief at
requests for technical assistance, and
dent assessment of the credentials and
a recurring situation: School officials
respond in a supporting role when a
costs of the resources they are consid-
tell us that they have spent major por-
school crisis occurs. All services pro-
ering. School administrators should
tions of their annual school safety bud-
vided by the unit are in compliance with
consider the expertise available to
get for consultant services. By simply
Georgia Senate Bill 74, which establishes
them at the local, state, and federal
making a toll-free call to our State School
specific requirements for school safety
levels through the numerous govern-
Safety Coordinator, these Georgia offi-
ment agencies that provide these ser-
in Georgia public schools. GEMA is just
cials could have obtained training and
one of the agencies in the state that can
vices as part of their mission. The man-
technical assistance coordinated and
provide free assistance of high quality
date to provide services is particularly
funded by the state. They would also
to schools.
true for those public safety agencies
have had assurance that the work had
Georgia's political leadership has taken
that would be the ones to respond to
been conducted in accordance with
the stance that by providing cutting-edge
any emergency at the school.
state law by individuals who have the
and consistent training and technical as-
A school crisis is not the time and place
backing of state government.
MICHAEL S. DORN
sistance, we can keep our school safety
for school officials to meet their public
The concern in our nation following
PHOTOGRAPH BY MARTI
funds where they should bein local
safety counterparts for the first time to
the major acts of weapons violence in
GRIFFIN. COPYRIGHT 1998
communities. This approach affords
discuss the management of a disaster
American schools in recent years has
BY MARTI GRIFFIN.
communities the opportunity to ad-
situation. The crisis planning phase
caused school administrators to look
dress their local needs when it comes
USED BY PERMISSION.
should occur before an incident occurs
for ways to improve school safety.
to school safety equipment, personnel,
and is an ideal time for school officials to
There is a positive side to this national
and programs.
soul searching as fewer students and
begin developing working relationships
For those who are willing to invest
with representatives of the various pub-
educators are facing death and injury
some time and effort, there are more
lic safety agencies. It is no more appro-
due to long overdue improvements in
free school safety information resources
priate for a school administrator to pre-
school safety.
available to school districts than most
pare a crisis plan unaided than it would
While vast resources are available in the
have the time to utilize. See Page 4.
be for the local police chief to develop
public and private sector to improve the
While developing a strategy to improve
the math curriculum. By working to-
level of safety in our schools, there have
the level of safety in your schools and
gether, school officials and public safety
been many instances of schools using
increase the level of preparedness for
professionals can not only develop prac-
their limited funds to improve school
crisis situations, it is important to re-
tical school safety and crisis plans, but
safety when resources of high quality
view all potentially helpful resources.
they can also develop the type of effec-
were available to them at no cost. School
Before precious tax dollars are com-
tive working relationships that can mean
administrators should review available
mitted to paying a consultant to provide
the difference between life and death in
free resources before turning to the
school safety expertise, take the time to
handling a major crisis.
private sector to improve school safety.
ensure that the assistance you need has
As an example of a resource that is
Private sector resources often offer
not already been bought and paid for by
available in our state, public and private
high-quality options to improve school
your tax dollars and donations to not-
schools in Georgia can receive a wide
safety. We have been fortunate to have
for-profit organizations.
range of free services relating to the
crossed paths with innovative individu-
improvement of school safety through
als who work diligently in the private
Copyright 2000 by the audio's. Used by
the Georgia Emergency Management
sector for the safety of our school
permission. May be reproduced as part
AgencyOffice of the Governor
children. However, these leaders in
of this newsletter.
the field of school safety are only one
(GEMA). GEMA has 10 full-time school
Michael S Dorn is a School Safety Spe-
safety personnel who provide training,
source of information. Some of the best
cialist with the Georgia Emergency Man-
technical assistance, research services,
information available comes from gov-
agement AgencyOffice of the Gover-
and resource materials relating to the
ernment and not-for-profit agencies.
nor (OVA). Karen Franklin is State
prevention of, planning for, response to,
These sources also offer an advantage
School Safety Coordinator and Sonayia
and recovery from school crisis situa-
to schools because they are not trying
Shepherd is Area 7 School Safety Coordi-
tions. GEMA staff teach eight field pro-
to sell additional services to their clients.
nator, both also with GEMA. They can
grams relating to school safety, coor-
Instead, they are fulfilling the services
be reached at [phone].
dinate site surveys of school facilities,
that they are funded to provide.
5
AVAILABLE
BEST COPY
THE SAFETY ZONE
NONPROFIT AND
GOVERNMENTAL SCHOOL
SAFETY RESOURCES
The following is a partial list of poten-
www.atf.treas.gov/contact/field.htm.
site: www.state.ga.us/GEMA. The agency
The ATF will send schools a booklet on
tial school safety resources. This list
also provides a secure public safety Web
dealing with bomb threats that includes
site that contains sensitive school safety
is designed for school officials who
a Bomb Threat Checklist. To obtain a
information that cannot be posted on a
want to improve the level of safety in
general-access Web site. The service
their schools while staying within their
copy, call your local ATF field office or.
ATF Arson & Explosives Division,
is available at no cost to public safety
budgets.
agencies. Public safety officials can
Washington, D.C. Phone: (202) 927-
LOCAL AGENCIES
apply at safetynet.gema.state.ga.us.
7930. Explosives/Bomb Incidents:
0 State law enforcement agencies
0 Emergency management agencies
1-800-ATF-BOMB. Arson Contact:
May be able to provide training relat-
May be able to help facilitate site sur-
1-800-ATF-FIRE.
o National Criminal Justice Refer-
ing to bombs and bomb threats, gangs,
veys of school facilities, assist with the
ence Service (NCJRS)The NCJRS
development of school crisis plans,
weapons, and other topics, and offer
can provide a variety of printed re-
help coordinate mock crisis exercises,
assistance in crisis planning.
o State human resources agencies
sources concerning trends in youth
and may serve as a valuable liaison with
violence, information regarding school
public safety responders in your area.
May be able to provide training and
o Fire serviceMay be able to survey
safety, and statistical analysis. Phone
technical assistance pertaining to crisis
mental health issues.
facilities to identify fire and evacuation
1-800-851-3420 or (301) 519 -5500. Web
o State school safety centersMany
site: www.ncjrs.org.
hazards, safe evacuation routes, evacu-
o Office of Juvenile Justice and
ation sites, and conduct training for
states have school safety centers, some-
Delinquency PreventionOffers a
school staff on issues involving haz-
times based at a university, that may be
wide range of services and literature
ardous materials.
able to help. For a list of state centers,
o Law enforcementMay be able to
go to the National Resource Center
pertaining to youth violence and school
safety. Phone: [phone]. Web site:
provide training relating to gangs, ille-
for Safe Schools Web site: www.safety-
gal drugs, weapons recognition, work-
zone.org and click on "Links to Other
www.ojjdp.ncjrs.org.
o United States Department of Educa-
place violence, and other topics. They
Sites" and then on "State and Commu-
tion, Office of Special Education and
may be able to offer assistance with
nity Sites".
Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)
crime prevention including surveys
FEDERAL AGENCIES
Offers a considerable amount of useful
of school facilities.
0 American Red CrossMay be able
o Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and
resource material through its Web site:
Firearms (ATFsometimes BATF)
ed.gov/offices/OSERS. Phone: 1-800-
to help with staff training, response to
ATF is the lead federal law enforcement
USA-LEARN. The main Web site is:
school crisis situations, planning and
agency in matters pertaining to the pos-
staffing assistance for family reunifica-
www.ed.gov.
o United States Postal Service Inspec-
session and use of unlawful explosive
tion centers after a crisis, and a variety
tion ServiceOffers training and tech-
devices and employs leading experts in
of youth programs.
nical assistance in the areas of mail bomb
this field. The ATF office for your region
STATE AGENCIES
may be able to offer training or other
incident prevention. Call 1-800-654-8896
0 State departments of education
to inquire about training and literature.
assistance in issues relating to bomb
and bomb threats. The ATF also coordi-
May be able to provide training materials,
NRCSS LINKS
nates the Gang Resistance Education
videos, and technical assistance for vio-
0 National Resource Center for Safe
and Training Program (GREAT.) for
lence prevention, safe school planning,
Schools (NRCSS)The Center's Web
students, working in cooperation with
and school crisis response planning.
0 State emergency management
site (www.safetyzone.org) contains ex-
local law enforcement agencies. Con-
agenciesMay be able to provide staff
tensive resources, including links to
tact G.REA.T. by calling 1-800-726-7070
other nonprofit organizations and a list
training, information pertaining to crisis
or [phone] in Washington, D.C.
of state school safety centers.
The Web site: www.atf.treas.gov /great/
planning, planning guides, and technical
support assistance developing crisis
index.htm. The main ATF Web address:
plans and mock crisis exercises. For
www.atf.treas.gov. List of ATF field of-
fices and phone numberssome local
example, the Georgia Emergency Man-
offices are listed under the main head-
agement Agency has general school
ing for their regional office. Web:
safety information available on its Web
S
5
NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER FOR SAFE SCHOOLS
GUEST
STUDENT VOICES:
COLUMN
WE MUST BE PARTNERS
By JENNIFER MCKAY
lence. We recently held a concert that
dents On the school board, which
Everyone knows that violence in
I organized entitled, Sing Your Peace:
seemed the perfect first step for our
schools is a serious problem that is
Take a Stand Against Youth Violence.
school. Maybe, I thought, if the students
facing schools all across the country.
knew that there was someone on their
This was an event involving eight bands
Some schools are even trying to take
from all over the state. It gave students
side at these meetings, the situation at
action to prevent violence. But what
a chance to be in charge for the evening,
our school would improve. I decided
happens when these schools do so with-
and prove to their administrators that
that I was going to talk to our school
out the help of the students? From ex-
we do not want violence in our school.
principal about this. I discussed my idea
perience, I can tell you that things will
A student who attended the concert
with him, and explained the reason for
get worse.
told me, "This was the best night that
needing a student on the school board.
As an average high school student
our school has ever seen. I hope now
with friends in all different "cliques,"
I also explained that the student he
JENNIFER MCKAY (LEFT)
that the administrators realize that we
chose would have to be well respected
I have been able talk to a wide variety
AND FELLOW STUDENT LISA
are good kids who don't want violence
by his or her peers, and would also have
of students in my school about their
SABADINI (RIGHT) AT A "BATTLE
in our school. If they would just give us
to appeal to a wide variety of students
feelings on school violence. The most
OF THE BANDS" CONCERT THEY
a chance, and stop changing everything
in the school. We are now in the pro-
common response given to me was, "I
ORGANIZED. THE CONCERT,
without telling us, then our school would
cess of deciding, along with the stu-
never felt unsafe in this school until
be fine!"
the administration started to change
dent body, who that student should be.
SING YOUR PEACE: TAKE A
It is important to take active steps
Another problem at school is with
things." The changes include the carry-
STAND AGAINST YOUTH
to prevent school violence. But, when
peer mediation. Peer mediation is a
ing of two-way radios by the faculty, the
VIOLENCE, WAS ATTENDED BY
doing so, take into consideration the
patrol of police officers in the cafete-
wonderful tool to have in school when
SOME 400 PEOPLE. EIGHT LOCAL
reaction of the students. I don't think
it works, but in many cases it is not
ria, taking away of backpacks and use
BANDS DONATED THEIR TIME
that enough people realize that stu-
of lockers, and talk of installing metal
taken seriously. In our school, the stu-
TO THE EVENT, WHICH GROSSED
dents want to help. We don't like waking
dents chosen as peer mediators do not
detectors. All of these changes were
up everyday wondering if we are going
hold the respect of the majority of stu-
carried out without the knowledge or
ABOUT $3.000 FOR VIOLENCE
to be killed at school. We are the ones
dents, and are not properly trained in
consent of the students.
PREVENTION EFFORTS
who are going to ultimately bring vio-
the art of mediation. It is a serious time
What happened as a result? The stu-
lence to an end.
when a student is willing to go to his or
dents of the school, including myself,
her peers and discuss a problem, and
resented the changes and disregarded
Copyright 2000 by the author. Used by
the situation should be looked at in a
the new rules. Tempers were high among
permission.
serious manner.
the student body because they felt that
May be reproduced as part of this
There is a student in my school who
they had no representation. They felt as
newsletter.
has always been harassed by others.
though they were being reprimanded
Jennifer McKay is a high school junior.
for events that had not taken place.
About five months ago, he decided to
She plans to attend college in the Wash-
Because of the rise in temper in the look to peer mediation for help. He,
ington, DC, area, majoring in pre-law
and a particular boy who harassed him
students, fights between them became
or political science.
more than anyone else, took time out
more frequent, and students were get-
of a class period to go. There, the vic-
ting suspended every day. One student,
SUBSCRIBE
just this past week, was arrested for
tim openly admitted that he was gay.
Three days later, the boy had more
carrying an air rifle into school. It was
If you would like to subscribe to
than 100 death threats in his locker.
very disheartening to see a student who
had never really had any violent acts
Why? Because the students involved in
The Safety Zone, please mail your
peer mediation did not feel the need to
carded away in handcuffs just because
name and address to: Safety Zone
keep his secret. For peer mediation to
he wanted to spite the rules of the new
Subscriptions, NWRELNRCSS,
school administration.
work, all the students involved must keep
101 S.W. Main, Suite 500, Portland,
everything they hear confidential. That
Even after such events, the adminis-
OR 97204.
was not done in our school, and today,
tration refused to listen to the voice
You may also e-mail your
the boy has been taken out of school
of the students, and things have not yet
name and postal address to:
and sent for psychiatric evaluation.
changed for the better. When speaking
[email protected].
with administrators from other high
Students in my school are highly in-
schools, I learned of schools with stu-
volved in the fight against school vio-
r craw AV An AMR
:Du Qrr
-11
6
THE SAFETY ZOI is
NEWS AND
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Legislative Forecast,
Jim Green, an attorney for the Oregon
to drink alcohol, and 70 percent likelier
Anticipated Congressional Action
School Boards Association, told The
to have been drunk more than twice.
Oregonian that the case will "set the
For 12th-graders, the rate of use in
The fall elections loom over the second
tone for what districts can do to protect
rural America exceeds the rate in large
session of the 106th Congress, and both
their buildings, their students and their
houses will adjourn early for the cam-
urban areas for cocaine, crack, amphet-
staff." The case will likely take months
amines, inhalants, alcohol, cigarettes,
paign season. Between the short ses-
or even years to resolve in court.
and smokeless tobacco. (Adult drug
sion and the inevitable election-year rise
use, however, is about equal across
in political temperatures, Congress will
Extracted from reports in The Oregonian,
be hard-pressed to complete work on
communities of all sizes.)
December 16, 1999, Section B, Page 1.
the 13 Fiscal Year 2001 appropriations
A press release on the white paper is
bills while addressing both new and
Member of Columbine
available on the Web at wwwcasaco-
pending legislation.
Task Force Calls for Police
lumbia.org/newsletter1457/newsletteLsh
Several education and juvenile justice
Use of Student Mental-
owhtniVoc_id=23562 Retrieved from
matters will be debated. Reauthorization
Health Information
the Web. January 26 2006
of the Elementary and Secondary Edu-
John Peper, a member of Colorado
cation Act (ESEA) will likely see contin-
Oregon Janitor Sues To
Governor Bill Owens' Columbine task
uation of the effort to fund smaller
Keep His Gun at School
force, said that law enforcement agen-
classes and efforts to convert class-
Many states have laws under which
cies should be given information about
size funds into block grants that could
local or state officials may issue per-
students obtained by mental-health
be used for other purposes.
mits to carry a concealed weapon. De-
counselors. Peper hopes that the
In the field of zero tolerance for guns,
pending upon the wording of specific
counseling information will help prevent
proposals include increasing from 45
concealed weapons laws, they might
school violence. The Denver Post quoted
days to one year the time that schools
have an impact on a school district's
Peper as saying that "pars- profession-
may remove students with disabilities
ability to ban weapons from schools.
als" and "professionals" should not be
who bring guns to schools. The pro-
An elementary school janitor fired last
covered by confidentiality rules, and
posals would also allow schools to
September in Oregon for bringing a
that the Constitution does not contain a
deny academic and social services to
loaded pistol to school is suing the
right to privacy that would protect stu-
the students during their suspensions.
North Clackamas School District, claim-
dents. Peper is former superintendent
ing that only the state can regulate pos-
of Jefferson County Schools. The head
Report Finds Higher Rural
session of handguns. (Clackamas is
of the Mental Health Association of
Than Urban Student Drug,
located in the suburbs south of Port-
Colorado, Renee Rivera, told the paper
Drinking, and Smoking Rates
land.) The former janitor, Greg S. King,
that therapists are already bound by a
Middle and high school students living
has a permit allowing him to carry a
"duty to warn" of potential violence.
in rural areas have higher rates of drug
concealed weapon.
Suture.. Denver Post, January 13.2000.
In Oregon, county sheriffs may issue
use, drinking, and smoking than do their
Retrieved from the Web, January 14,
concealed-weapon permits to adults
urban counterparts, according to a white
2000. at www.denvcipostconVnews/
paper from Columbia University's Na-
who have passed a background check,
shot0113chtrn.
taken a gun-safety course, and paid the
tional Center on Addiction and Sub-
stance Abuse (CASA). The paper was required fee. Oregon law does ban pos-
Change of Address
session of firearms in public buildings,
commissioned by the U.S. Conference
New address for National Center for
including schools. The state's concealed-
of Mayors and released at their annual
Conflict Resolution Education: National
weapons law, however, excludes adults
meeting held the end of January in
Center for Conflict Resolution Educa-
with permits from that ban.
Washington, D.C.
tion, Illinois State Bar Center, 424
Before school on September 14, 1999,
The study found that "eighth-graders
South Second Street, Springfield, IL
a school employee found a locked back-
living in rural America are 104 percent
62701. Phone: [phone] or toll-
pack in an elevator. Police found a
likelier to use amphetamines, including
free: 1-800-308-9419. Fax: (217) 523-
loaded 10mm Glock pistol, anununi-
methamphetamine, than those in urban
7066. Web site: www.nccre.org. For
tion, knives, and survival gear. King
areas, and 50 percent likelier to use co-
further information, e-mail Richard
later said that the weapons had been
caine." They are also 34 percent likelier
Bodine: [email protected].
returned to him by a friend who had
to smoke marijuana, 83 percent likelier
gone hunting.
to use crack cocaine, 29 percent likelier
8
7
NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER FOR SAFE SCHOOLS
NRCSS COSPONSORS
MISSISSIPPI DELTA SCHOOL
SAFETY CONFERENCE
ferson County, Kentucky, Public Schools;
Eight members of the NRCSS staff at- of Education's Safe and Drug-Free
the Hamilton Fish Institute; the Jones-
Schools Program.
tended a two-and-a-half-day conference
boro, (Arkansas), Public Schools and
The conference provided technical
on school safety in support of the Mis-
assistance and training for school dis-
the Jonesboro Police Department; and
sissippi Delta Initiative in Jonesboro,
from Arkansas State University. Staff
tricts on topics that concentrated on
Arkansas, March 9 and 10. Approximately
comprehensive safe school planning
from the Safe and Drug-Free Schools
125 school and community leaders from
Program of the U.S. Department of
while providing information on how to
the Delta region attended.
Education also participated.
The conference was cosponsored by assess needs and how to create and
The workshop was part of President
implement a safe schools plan. The
the U.S. Department of Education and
Clinton's New Markets Program. The
Jonesboro Safe Schools/Healthy Stu-
NRCSS and hosted by Arkansas State
Interagency Mississippi Delta Task-
dents Model Program was showcased.
University (ASU) and ASU President,
force, chaired by U.S. Transportation
In addition to NRCSS staff, session
Dr. Leslie Wyatt. ASU Dean of Educa-
Secretary Rodney Slater, is organizing
presenters included representatives
tion, Dr. John Beineke, helped coordi-
the initiative. The Delta region includes
from the South Carolina, Kentucky, and
nate the sessions. The plenary speaker
parts of seven states bordering the
Tennessee Departments of Education;
at the conference was William Modze-
Missouri Center for Safe Schools; id-
Lower Mississippi.
leski, Director of the U.S. Department
ZERO TOLERANCE: CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2
Notes:
in their 1996-97 numbers, but by their
However, "Very few students who carry
firearms to school are ever caught,"
1997-98 reports had broken the figures
I. Skiba, Russ and Reece Peterson. (January
1999) The Dark Side of Zero Tolerance: Can
Kingery warns. Kingery compared the
into separate categories for firearms
Punishment Lead to Safe Schools?, Phi Delia
rate with which students are consid-
and for other weapons. (Kingery is com-
Kappan, v. 80, i. 5, p. 372-76, 381-82.
ered for expulsion for carrying a gun
pleting an extensive analysis of suspen-
2. U. S. Department of Education, National Cen-
sions and expulsion, with special atten-
to school (from Gun-Free Schools Act
ter for Education Statistics. (1997). Principal/
reports) with the number of students
tion to zero tolerance policies.)
School Disciplinarian Survey on School Violence.
who said they had carried firearms to
Thus, 1996-97 and 1997-98 reports can-
Fast Response Survey System. FRSS 63. Wash-
school (from the Center for Disease
not be accurately compared to show a
ington, DC.
reduction in expulsions related to fire-
Control's Youth Risk Behavior Survey).
3. Martin, W. Michael. (March 2000). Does Zero
Mean Zero?: Balancing policy with procedure in
arms, as a number of observers have "Less than one percent of high school
the fight against weapons at school, American
done. No malice should be inferred
students who carried a firearm to school
School Board Journal Retrieved from the Web.
from the reports or the initial conclu-
were actually caught and considered for
March I, 2000 mw.asbj.com/security/contents/
sions drawn from them, however. As
expulsion in 1997," Kingery said.
0300martin.html
"Clearly zero tolerance is not signifi-
Kathryn Chandler of NCES said, any
4. The data were reported in the department's
cantly reducing the numbers of youth
time statisticians begin collecting new
two reports on State Implementation of the
Gun-Free Schools Act. for the 1996-97 and
data it takes several surveys to be sure
who carry firearms to school, since only
1997-98 school years.
one percent of carriers are even being
they are asking the right questions to
5. U.S. Department of Education, Office of Edu-
obtain information that can be com-
caught," Kingery said. "The odds are that
cational Research and Improvement and U.S.
pared over time.
a weapon-carrier will not be caught, so
Department of Justice, Office of Justice Pro-
There is evidence that fewer students
the deterrence is minimal."
grams. (September 1999.) Indicators of School
To ask again, have zero tolerance poli-
are carrying weapons to school. Indi-
Crime and Safely. 1999. (The report is available
cators of School Crime and Safety,
cies lowered the level of school violence
on the NRCSS Web page at www.safetyzone.org/
pdf/1999057.pdf.)
or reduced the presence of drugs at
1999 (Table 11.1) reports that the
percentage of students in grades
schools? The data available do not allow
us to say with any confidence that they
nine through 12 carrying a weapon to
school in the previous 30 days has de-
have reduced violence levels, though
they mayalong with other factors
clined. In 1993, 11.8 percent reported
have helped reduce the number of
bringing a weapon to school; in 1995,
9
weapons in schools. A further answer
9.8 percent did; while by 1997, the
must wait on information yet to come.
number was down to 8.5 percent.'
k I
19
%walk
a
Third-Annual Symposium on School and Community Violence, Hamilton Fish Institute, George W on University Wash-
ington, D.C. Institute staff and members of the Institute's Consortium research teams will present
on predicting
and preventing youth violence. Registration limited to first 170 people. Contact: Nancy Budd, [phone], extension 117.
Web. www.hamfish org
May 10-12
Finding Better Ways 2000: Keeping Everyone Safe, The Adams Mark Hotel, Philadelphia, PA. Contact Child Welfare League
of America, 440 First Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, DC 20001-2085. Phone: [phone]. E-mail: registertiocvolaktg.
Web: www.cw1a.orgiads/conficonatin4C0NF080BDP
June 2-3
Violence and Substance Use Prevention and Intervention: Bridging Schools. Community Health Care, and the Latino Family,
University of North Texas, Denton, TX. Center for Cross-Cultural Pediatric Behavioral Health, Debra Tucker, Prep* Man-
ager, Center for Continuing Education and Conference Management, Univ ersity of North Texas, P.O.
BOX 310560, DelltOn.
TX
762014560. Phone: [phone]. E-mail: [email protected]. Web: www. unt .edulpediatris/irtutferenoe.l
June 26-27
Regional Training by NRCSS, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC. For sthool, law enforcement, and juvenile jounce
personnel from Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North and South Carolina, and Virginia. Contact NRCSS: 1400-21642%.
July 29-30
State School Safety Center Consortium, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC. NRCSS sponsors the second meeting of state
school safety centers. Open to state school safety centers and organizations that are the primary providers of training and
technical assistance on school safety in their states. Contact NRCSS: 1-800-268-2275
July 16-21
National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) Conference, Scottsdale Radisson Resort, Scottsdale, AZ. Contact
NASRO: 1-888-316-2776. Web: www.nasro.org
The Safety Zone
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