School discipline problems growing

Terry Webster

Tuesday, Oct. 19, 1999 | 10:01 a.m.

Mouthing off, bullying classmates, refusing to listen to teachers -- classroom troublemakers are starting to act out at a younger age in the Clark County School District.

The issue has some school administrators yearning for more alternative education settings for elementary-age pupils.

"We do seem to have more children who need this kind of service," said Kay Carl, assistant superintendent for the Elementary Education Division.

Carl said teachers report one of the main problems is children defying authority and not doing what they are told -- in terms of class behavior and school work.

Placing students in alternative education settings, areas located outside the traditional classroom, is one way the district deals with students who are disruptive in school.

Students who act up do not represent the majority, but they can affect an entire class if the problem is not addressed.

"We're fortunate we are able to provide this kind of service," Carl said.

Fifteen alternative schools already are in place in the district, said Sidney Franklin, assistant superintendent of the Alternative Education Division.

The district is attempting to add more by applying for approximately $484,228 in funding through the Nevada Department of Education, which would provide staff, equipment and supplies for alternative education programs for seven schools.

A total of eight schools statewide will be selected to receive the funding through an alternative education pilot program. The programs will be evaluated by the Federal Programs Department.

Applications are being submitted by Virgin Valley Elementary School, Rex Bell Elementary School, Pathways School, Woodbury Middle School, Charles West Middle School, Laughlin Junior/Senior High School and Western High School.

Under the plan, each school will establish its own program providing supervision, counseling, instruction in core academic areas and self-discipline training.

It was not immediately known when the district will find out if its applications were approved.

More alternative programs are needed for all grades; so is more space for the programs, Franklin said.

The alternative schools population is growing between 10 to 13 percent per year, the same rate as the entire school district, Franklin said.

"It's booming," he said.

Students who need or want to get into an alternative education program are sometimes placed on waiting lists, Franklin said, adding that this can make it difficult for them to get the credits needed to graduate.