NCJ Number
103875
Date Published
1985
Length
31 pages
Annotation
A 1984 survey of Maryland's 24 school systems found extensive efforts to address the problem of ethnically, racially, and religiously motivated violence and extremism.
Abstract
The survey focused on policies, curriculum, activities and programs, and staff development. All 24 systems responded. Two school systems have policies focusing specifically on these types of activities, and 10 others have general policies on intergroup understanding. Seven systems have general policies and three have specific policies for responding to acts of violence or extremism. Nine systems reported local government regulations related to violence and extremism and applicable to the schools. Twenty-two systems offer curriculum components and 14 systems have extracurricular programs to promote intergroup understanding. Eighteen systems offer or require staff development for teaching staff to enable them to promote intergroup understanding and to instruct culturally diverse students effectively. Eight systems rate teachers' competence partially on the basis of their ability to teach diverse students. Nine systems offer staff development to noninstructional staff to improve understanding of students, and 14 systems offer it to promote understanding of adults. All systems should review their efforts and consider ways to improve. Case examples, questionnaire, addresses to write for model policies and programs, and a Maryland State Department of Education Manual for school administrators.