Editorial: It should be ‘no school’ left behind

Friday, Aug. 8, 2003 | 4:46 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION: August 10, 2003

Anyone who has taught school for any length of time will say that the two biggest barriers to learning are hunger and fear. The federal government long ago addressed the hunger issue with school breakfast and lunch programs. Now, under President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act, it is addressing the fear factor. States are now required to have criteria in place for defining "dangerous" schools. Where the definition fits, students have the right to transfer to another school.

We agree with the intent. Students have a right to be safe and there is no disputing that a higher probability of getting hurt or frightened exists at certain schools. But the solution is flawed because it will protect some students but not others. For many students, the option of transferring to another school just isn't there. Many parents cannot move and will not want their children attending school miles away from home. And for many students, their existing safety net is the older brother or sister in a nearby high school who walks them home. Another problem with the "dangerous schools" program is the name itself. Once a school gets that label, the problem could be exacerbated because the inclination among students will be to arm themselves for protection.

In Nevada, a school becomes "dangerous" if the number of criminal citations issued to students exceeds 1.75 percent of the enrollment at the larger schools, and 2 percent of the enrollment at smaller schools. Under this formula, three schools -- Biltmore and Washington high schools (where students with habitual disciplinary problems are sent) -- and Gibson Middle School could soon be labeled dangerous. Alarmingly, the principal of Gibson was surprised to learn criminal citations issued to students at her school were high enough to warrant the designation. Len Paul, superintendent of the district's northwest region where Gibson is located, said school police have not been sharing information about citations with principals -- a practice he said needs to be changed. We hope it's changed immediately. Principals need to be fully informed about anything affecti ng their students, particularly criminal citations.

The best use of the statistics, in our view, would be to make the schools safer, through better investment in the neighborhoods and in the schools themselves. More police, more hall monitors, more counselors -- that seems a better answer than allowing a few kids to transfer, leaving the others behind to fend for themselves.