Safe School Environment For All

• NCJ Number: 153493
• Journal: School Safety Dated: (Winter 1995) Pages: 4-6
• Author(s): L Klagholz
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 3 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

In deference to the rights of all students to a safe school environment, the consequence of violent or disruptive behavior should be the removal of the offending student from the regular school or classroom environment; the expelled student, however, also has rights, particularly the right to a free education.

Abstract

Current and past efforts to address the problem of student violence have aimed at the early identification of students with violent tendencies; the application of preventive measures such as education, counseling, and mentoring; and the rehabilitation of students who commit violent acts. The issue of school violence essentially involves the competing rights of students in a compulsory attendance situation. Although violent and disruptive students have the right to a free public education and to assistance in resolving social problems that may affect their behavior, these students and their families should also be accountable for behavior in the school environment. The safe schools idea incorporates prevention and support, as well as an emphasis on the right of all students to a free public education. In the case of violent students, strictly punitive measures should be supplemented by efforts to address student problems. Expulsion has generated a body of case law that protects the rights of expulsion candidates. In addition, the severity of expulsion has also generated other Federal and State protections. In particular, laws and court decisions require that each candidate for expulsion be evaluated by a child study team. If evaluation indicates the existence of an underlying educational disability, the student is classified for special education and may not be expelled. In order to be effective, strategies aimed at removing dangerous students from school should also addressed their educational needs. Alternative education strategies can help address the underlying causes of violent or disruptive behavior. The Safe Schools Initiative adopted in New Jersey is described.