NCJ Number
35627
Date Published
1976
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THE SPEAKER RECAPITULATES THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF TWO CALIFORNIA COMMISSIONS ON EDUCATION AND PROJECTS THEIR SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS OF CRIME AND POOR EDUCATION AS A MODEL FOR THE FUTURE.
Abstract
THE SPEAKER IS THE DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT OF THE SAN DIEGO (CA) SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE LEGAL ADVISOR OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND EDUCATORS. THE TWO COMMISSIONS HE DISCUSSES ARE THE 1973 VIOLENCE AND CONFLICT TASK FORCE AND THE 1975 RISE COMMISSION (REFORM OF INTERMEDIATE AND SECONDARY EDUCATION). THE FIRST COMMISSION IDENTIFIED FOUR TYPES OF CONFLICT WHICH LEAD TO SCHOOL VIOLENCE: SITUATION CONFLICT (LOCAL ISSUES, SCHOOL REGULATIONS, SPORTS EVENTS); INTER-GROUP CONFLICT (RACIAL AND MINORITY DISTURBANCES); STUDENT ACTIVISM (MUCH LESS A FACTOR SINCE THE END OF THE VIET NAM WAR); AND CRIME. CONSULTATION WITH VARIOUS GROUPS IDENTIFIED CAUSES FOR THESE TYPES OF CONFLICT. SITUATION CONFLICT WAS RELATED TO INADEQUATE COUNSELING, HIGH STUDENT PARTICIPATION FEES, ADMINISTRATIVE RESTRICTIONS, ATTENDANCE AND SUSPENSION, PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE SCHOOL, AND IRRELEVANT CURRICULA. INTERGROUP CONFLICT WAS CAUSED BY DISCRIMINATION, EXCLUSION, AND DENIAL IN ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES, TEACHING PRACTICES, AND EMPLOYMENT OPPROTUNITIES. CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR WAS LINKED TO GENERAL SOCIAL PROBLEMS. SOLUTIONS WERE IDENTIFIED AS ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT BY ALL PARTICIPANTS (ADMINISTRATORS, STUDENTS, TEACHERS, PARENTS, AND CITIZENS) IN LOCAL AND DISTRICT DECISIONMAKING; MORE EFFECTIVE COUNSELING; IMPROVED PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENTS; AND EXPANDED COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. THE RISE COMMISSION MADE A SERIES OF 26 RECOMMENDATIONS, MOST OF WHICH CENTERED AROUND THE PROVISION OF PERSONALIZED EDUCATION (AS BEING THE MOST EFFECTIVE). THE COMBINED RECOMMENDATIONS FORM THE BASIS OF THE SPEAKER'S PROJECTIONS FOR THE FUTURE. IF THEY ARE REALIZED, HE BELIEVES THAT CRIME, VIOLENCE, AND VANDALISM WILL NOT CONTINUE TO BE PROBLEMS. IN THE FUTURE THERE WILL BE AN INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNING APPROACH, STUDENT INVOLVEMENT IN THE DECISION MAKING PROCESSES; INVOLVEMENT OF PARENTS, STAFF, AND CITIZENS IN DISTRICT AND SITE LEVEL DECISIONMAKING; RENEWED EMPHASIS ON THE MASTERY OF BASIC ACADEMICS AND CAREER RELATED SKILLS; EXPANSION OF THE GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING FUNCTION; PHYSICAL FACILITIES TO MATCH THE INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNING APPROACH; AND A DEMOCRATICALLY-FORMED SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AT THE SCHOOL AND SCHOOL DISTRICT LEVELS. FOR THE ENTIRE SERIES OF TAPES FROM THE VIOLENCE AND VANDALISM CONFERENCE, SEE NCJ-35621, 3562335627, 35629-35635, 35637, 35638, AND 35640-35645.