How safe do your kids feel in school right now?
As noted in today's article by Thomasi McDonald, Wake school officials are trying to downplay the recent highly publicized cases of school violence. They're arguing that violence has actually decreased in recent years.
Anthony Pecoraro, a school district critic, disagrees.
It all depends on how you use the numbers.
Pecoraro uses 1996-97 as the baseline year. He points out that there 4.937 acts of school violence per 1,000 students in Wake that year. He says it's now dramatically higher at 8.92 per 1,000 students in 2006-07, the last year where data is available.
But looking at the past few years, it has been trending downward. It was as high as 11.6 acts per 1,000 students in 2004-05.
Click here for the more recent school violence reports.
Also in today's article, school officials say they're reluctant to use security measures such as metal detectors and bars on the windows because it would send the message that schools are out of control.
Comments
http://www.wral.com/news/news
Sat, 10/04/2008 - 07:38 — bigwinniehttp://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/3663619/
not just kids, safety violations as well
Wed, 10/01/2008 - 17:22 — bigwinniehttp://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/abc11_investigates&id=6425933
Officer stuns student with Taser
Wed, 10/01/2008 - 16:53 — bigwinnieOfficer stuns student with Taser
CARY - A police officer at Middle Creek High School used a Taser on a student Monday in an "altercation," school officials said.
A school resource officer from the Cary Police Department and the male student were in the school office at the time, and away from other students, said Wake County Schools spokesman Michael Evans.
update w/ more info
Wed, 10/01/2008 - 17:27 — bigwinnieanother "freshman" issue (16 years old)
http://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/3652583/
I hear it over and over and
Fri, 10/03/2008 - 15:01 — Anonymous (not verified)I hear it over and over and over again that Middle Creek High School has a lot of gang and drug issues. Does not shock me about the tasering. Good thing it's an "under enrolled" high school. Although I am sure they are making plans to change that with the new redistricting plan coming out.
They can over stuff it and and have MORE issues to contend with.
It's a wonder the Police officers don't start a protest... they are the ones dealing with this and "keeping things under wraps" as WCPSS probably instructs them to do... don't want parent s to get all crazy and worry that their kids could be in a high school that has "trouble."
How safe? Did anyone read
Tue, 09/30/2008 - 07:05 — rr77rr99How safe? Did anyone read the article on the 17 year old Apex kid that went to a party, then knocked on a door in McGregor and beat up the man and raped the woman?
The article this morning stated this "child" was to enroll, or enrolled and dropped out of Panther Creek HS as a FRESHMAN. Another 17 year old freshman.
Luckily he dropped out, but here's a kid who has a prior record and was supposed to be in anger management classes. Maybe WCPSS just needs a new policy...kids with records need not to come to school. THey can GED it at home with their parents watching over them.. or their parole officers!
After reading that, I totally don't feel my children are safe in our schools... if this is what gets to "enroll."!
http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/do
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 10:27 — bigwinniehttp://www.dpi.state.nc.us/docs/research/discipline/reports/schoolviolence/2006-07schoolviolence.pdf
Idiotic laws
Fri, 09/26/2008 - 08:38 — Bob_SconceUnder NC law, it's really difficult to expel a student.
Under N.C.G.S. 115C-391, the student has to (1) be at least 14 years old and (2) the board has to determine, by clear & convincing evidence, that his "behavior indicates that the student's continued presence in school constitutes a clear threat to the safety of other students or employees." And, even then, if there's another facility (like Philips HS locally), they have to put him there. AND, the kid can come back a year later and ask for a reconsideration.
But, it appears to be even harder if the kid has an IEP -- under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the state has to make education available to disabled students who have been expelled. Under IDEA, the kid can only be removed from the "regular education environment" when "the nature or severity of the disability of a child is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily."
I'm not an education law expert, but it seems to me that it's far too easy to be labeled as "disabled" -- the thugs who beat up the Wakefield kid probably had "Emotional Problems," and so the district keeps them in school. If it were me, they'd be banished to Washington DC and given access to the kids of Congressmen.
IEPs not the issue
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 07:22 — vsheehanYour statement “but it seems to me that it's far too easy to be labeled as disabled" is completely incorrect. When we entered Wake school my son had an IEP since kindergarten. We come to Wake and he is magically cured of his issues. After a year of wrangling I had to get the superintendent involved to fix the situation. I know of teachers trying desperately to get kids evaluated. Kids in such desperate need that the child without major help will never pas first grade never mind graduate HS. But Wake system moves slowly and still the child can not get an IEP.
If your fear is that kids with IEPS are the ones causing the problems don’t worry as Wake does everything in its power to keep kids from having IEPs. Plus when you finally have them school officials do not follow them.
But, is he disabled?
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 12:26 — Bob_SconceI think you're misunderstanding my point, so let me be a bit clearer: having an IEP should not necessarily make you "disabled' so as to entitle you to avoid the same discipline that would come by a kid without an IEP. When used like that, IEPs are way too overinclusive.
Incidentally, my understanding is that the easiest way to get an
IEP is to have the child privately evaluated and then bring the results
to the district. The private evaluation will likely be a lot more in-depth than the evaluation done by the school and may detect issues (such as AG kids with a learning disability) that the school would not. Also, it is perfectly reasonable for kids who were on IEPs to no longer need them -- after all, that's part of the goal of an IEP.
depends on the school system
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 13:09 — bigwinniedepends on the school system though, identified AG(with no LD) in certain states is still considered "disabled" and thus an IEP would follow throughout.
I agree. IEP's are not
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 07:29 — rr77rr99I agree. IEP's are not being readily "awarded" these days. There are multipule layers of intervention.
IEP's encompass a great range of needs. IEP's for kids with learning disabilities are not the ones I am concerned with. I am concered with the kids with emotional insabilities, anger issues, multipule personalities, etc. Kids with mental disabilities can also be awarded IEP's and then mainstreamed. That's what sets of red flags for me.
Wouldn't these children best be served with professionals trained in working with and helping kids with these issues.
Sounds to me like a 17year old freshman bashing in the face of a 15 year old does not have a "learning disability" ... more like "anger" issues and mental instabilities that would cause that type of behavior.
Maybe a professional can weigh in on this?
IEP's can be issued for
Fri, 09/26/2008 - 20:12 — Anonymous (not verified)IEP's can be issued for kids with "emotional disabilities" as well.
Yes, more often than not, these kids are suffering terribly, but the problem is, they are mainstreamed and teachers can't handle the special needs of these kids. They are not trained, equipped, and often already have a packed class. One or two children who have "differing needs" can be a huge burden on the teachers and other students.
Mainstreaming is the ultimate goal for all these kids with IEP's.... even if they have issues with violence and emotional unstability.
You’re missing the point.
Thu, 10/02/2008 - 04:53 — vsheehanYou’re missing the point. Yes, kids with behavioral issues can get IEPs but since Wake would rather stop bussing then put more children under the protection of IEPs you can be assured that kids with behavioral issues only are not getting an IEP. Unless there is a parent pushing like mad IEPs are hard to obtain in Wake. Even if the teachers see the kid needs an IEP Wake is slow to give it to a child. The teachers need the kids to have an outside advocate pushing to get the child an IEP. So what are the chances that a 17 year old freshman has a guardian pushing like mad for the child? Pretty low if you ask me. Everyone is assuming the children who are in vicious fights are not being expelled because they are protected by IEPs. I say that Wake does not expellee kids who are severely violent because Wake does not like to expel kids period.
partially right as
Thu, 10/02/2008 - 06:19 — bigwinniepartially right as well......our middle school a few years back was instructed not to "write people up, it looks bad for the school"...that report I put in here before, those numbers get reported from each school, and it doesn't "look good" for the school system if you have to many issues listed.....the news got a hold of THESE stories, imagine how many we DON'T hear about? Never heard about the ES and the "special ed" child found with a gun in his backpack, that he brought from Grandma's house, did we? Or the middle schooler on the bus, that WCPSS admin rode on following a tip off and took him off at school and found a knife in his backpack? I asked a news person about those stories (it was about the same time as the LRMS money "scandal") and was told pfft, that's not news!
big... I agree. If you
Mon, 10/06/2008 - 08:18 — Anonymous (not verified)big... I agree. If you get to talking to any SRO from any school, you can learn a lot, or if you have a local weekly newsletter, sometimes this stuff makes it into the "police report" section... but again, due to the fact there are minors involved, it may just say "Assault at MCHS" or "Theft at Apex High School."
Something like that.... of course WCPSS goes INSANE when these things "leak out". They claim there is a "privacy" issue because the people involved are children. While this is legally sound, there is always the question though.. don't parents of all the children have a right to know that there are indeed children bringing weapons to the school their child attends? OR that on child was beaten sensless and left in a hallway because no one knew about that fight?
That's again, where some parents need to step up and say, Heck yes we have a right to know, and a right to be concerned if your child is sitting next to a convicted violent juvie offender that made his/her way back into a mainstreamed classroom as a freshman at the age of 17.
My child makees me laugh.. he came home one day and said, "So and So (name removed) sitting next to me in my math class was out of school for a while but came back with a new really cool tatoo. " (this is middle school)
I asked, "A real one?"
"Yeah, mom, he has like four.. he gets them everytime he gets suspended, I guess he gets them from his gang friends or something...."
SWEET! How fabulous is that that your middle schooler is planning his body art based on the delinquent they keep letting back in school.
And.. now that I brought up the subject... I wonder why WCPSS does not make kids put a dressing over their tatoos.. they are allowed to show them off in school apparently. Hummmmm... no gang references there right?
Cancel pep rallies and dances but hey SHOW ME YOUR TATS!
Yep, lots out there we are kept in the dark about.
OMG, just when I
Mon, 10/06/2008 - 16:22 — bigwinnieOMG, just when I think.....tats, never thought of that angle and my one in MS never has said anything...but the one in 3rd talked about the 2nd grader with the shaved head mohawk look and the huge diamond earring? (the exact observation was ....hey mom, his diamond earring is waaaay bigger than yours! :+(
How long are we going to
Thu, 09/25/2008 - 21:22 — Actions speak louder than words (not verified)How long are we going to keep our heads in the sand? When will the community that sends their children to WCPSS pull together and stop all the madness? What will it take.....a millon dollar parts scandal, death at a bus stop, pathethic stories of our youngest children left unattended at incorrect bus stops, beatings that require MULTIPLE surgeries, and of course MYR? Come on people the time is NOW. Actually with the list stated here the time is PAST.
In my earlier years, more
Thu, 09/25/2008 - 20:36 — shank56In my earlier years, more than 12 years ago, it may have been common for principals to not report those incidents not flattering to its schools. (I am not an insider to that degree but remember discussion when "school violence " became a buzzword in EL, MS, and HS. )
Smart administrators realize that by reporting all to a "t'" helps to receive appropriate attention and funding - whether for additional counselors, special ed, or resource officers.
PS. A plastic knife in a lunchbox is technically a "weapon". I mistakenly included one in a "takeout meal" utensil wrap in my EL kids lunchbox and he called me on it!
PSS. A friend long ago packed her MS kids lunch bag- and instead of packing the root beer, she MISTAKENLY packed a Coors Light. Her kid years later tells this story- of him of taking his lunch out of the bag and having the "silver bullet" roll across the table. He grabbed it before any administrator saw it- and gave his mom a tongue lashing later. Still laugh about it but happy it didn't happen with our family.
It's stupid isn't it
Thu, 09/25/2008 - 21:41 — Voice_of_Reason_Yeah when I was a kid we used to play Mumblipeg (involves skillful throwing knives near others feet) with pocket knifes in the school playground during recess - Imagine, I (and about 40% of the school) would be expelled now. And nobody was stabbed (on purpose) --- amazing isn't it.
BTW- You can kill a person with a metal writing pen. I wonder when they will ban them also as "weapons". What about rocks? I guess a plastic knife can be used to kill someone with laughter. Oh well, we live in interesting times.
LAWSUITS a plenty!
Thu, 09/25/2008 - 20:29 — g88ky07"we would find that the measurement used to determine school safety has been manipulated to reflect what the system wants us to believe. "
SURE the data has been manipulated. You are dead on!
Isn't everything they do manipulated???
I think it will take a few MAJOR lawsuits against the schools, school system and those doing the violence to REALLY start addressing the rising violence in our schools. These schools, this system and the thugs with their "baby momma" and/or grandmother ALL need to be held accountable and the ONLY way ANY accountability will ever be POSSIBLE is by the means that ONLY seems to get this system's attention, LAWSUITS!
We had 3 teenagers behind our school not long ago in the middle of the day wearing trench coats and carrying guns. Kids on the playground saw this and we went into a lock down. Did that make the news? Nope. Should it have, maybe not. I found out about it 2 hours after it happened. Since I'm literally within walking distance all day long had I known I would've been up behind them before they EVER knew what hit them!
If my child gets harmed at school, AFTER I get released on bond, I will get some attention, that I assure you.
When it's YOUR child what WON'T you do?
A Proactive approach
Thu, 09/25/2008 - 19:01 — fiestamomFTA : Evans: " said administrators use a proactive approach to curb school violence."- Doesn't look like their proactive approach is working.
This is just anecdotal, but everywhere I've been with other parents (soccer practice, dance, seeing other parents in Wal Mart )in the last 3 days, this has been the ONLY topic. The consensus of we "peasants in pitchforks" is "why aren't these offenders in reform school?" There is a lot of skepticism. I'm guessing this isn't the alleged offenders first time in the principal's office.
The inmates are running the asylum.
The inmates are running the
Fri, 09/26/2008 - 07:31 — rr77rr99The inmates are running the asylum.
Well, ain't that the truth!
school safety
Thu, 09/25/2008 - 18:47 — HJ2ss2I think if we looked at the criteria used to determine that the schools are actually safer, we would find that the measurement used to determine school safety has been manipulated to reflect what the system wants us to believe. By changing how and what data is collected, the schools look safer. I have not seen any programs that could address the issue before it becomes a problem but you'll not hear that from the school system.
This was a well timed,
Thu, 09/25/2008 - 18:33 — Anonymous (not verified)This was a well timed, probably well "placed" article by WCPSS! They had to stop the bad press some how, so this nonsense is printed.
This would be a good "investigative" story for the N&O or Mandy Lamb over there at WRAL... someone needs to get to the bottom of this.
I asked my children if "bullying" name calling, pushing, shoving.. all the stuff that's supposed to get kids "suspended" goes on in school and they tell me, "Yeah, everyday mom! We just don't come home and tell you about it because you will go crazy and start storming the school or something! Forget it , mom. It's fine."
They said fights are common, threats of fights are common, drugs VERY common...my child was even asked if he wanted to buy some pot during a science class last year. None of this gets made public due to the minors involved.
I am just thankful my children have decent heads on their shoulders to avoid this stuff and stay focused on the goal.. to get the heck out of WCPSS!
an interesting who's who
Thu, 09/25/2008 - 17:22 — bigwinniehttp://www.wral.com/news/local/noteworthy/story/3612992/
WCPSS is consistent
Thu, 09/25/2008 - 17:19 — Dadof3So, for the distopians, that some poor child is receiving multiple rounds of reconstructive surgury isn't the problem, it's "the message" that preventative measures sends is. I'd venture to guess the thug was a thug before this; and this was just an escalation.
Have fun with your ball of yarn; Del-Chuck. We parents are tired of your shananagans.
A Real perspective vs the spin
Thu, 09/25/2008 - 16:43 — KathleenBThiseditorial appeared today in the N&O while Schools Claim Violence is Fallingappears boldly on the front page of the Triangle Section.
http://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/letters/story/1231376.html
Thank you to this teacher!