education:

School Board wants to see reduction in expulsions

School District expects to refer more than 5,000 students for expulsion this year

Thursday, March 26, 2009 | 4:38 p.m.

Archive of Sun education stories

Clark County School District

Clark County School Board members would like to see principals expel fewer students from school.

The board discussed the Clark County School District’s discipline policy Wednesday during a special meeting called to air their concerns about the policy, which was enacted six years ago, before most of the members had been elected.

The policy requires mandatory expulsion for serious offenses, such as bringing a gun to school, arson or assault of a school employee. However, principals have discretion on whether to expel students on lesser offenses, such as alcohol use or verbal abuse.

Last school year, 4,607 students were recommended for expulsion, about 2,500 for serious offenses, said Associate Superintendent Edward Goldman, who oversees discipline in the district. He projected 5,330 students would be referred for expulsion this year.

Students may be allowed to attend behavioral schools during a disciplinary period, and then may apply to attend another regular high school. Students may also be referred to the Academy for Individualized Study, a School District program for individualized study online.

One problem is that the behavior schools are running out of space, Goldman said. The five sites have more than 200 students apiece, and the ideal number is 150 per campus, he said.

“We try not to close them and say we don’t have any more room,” Goldman said.

In addition, Goldman said, he thinks some less serious problems can be better handled at the regular school.

Board member Larry Mason said he was concerned about “arbitrary decisions by principals to expel students. A lot of new principals are not that well prepared to deal with students in their schools.”

Noting that the lion’s share of expulsion recommendations come in the seventh, eighth and ninth grades, board member Carolyn Edwards called the problem “a developing age issue.”

“These are kids acting out, because that is what kids do,” she said.

She asked School District staff to conduct an analysis to pinpoint the problem.

She and other board members expressed a concern about the greater proportion of black students who are recommended for expulsion.

In 2007-08, 31 percent of the students recommended for expulsion were black, but the School District population is only 14 percent black, school board member Linda Young said.

“I get calls from people who are angry and say, ‘If I don’t fight for my child now, he will end up in prison,’” she said. “They disconnect from the academic process and become behavioral problems.”

Board members debated at length how many chances students should be given. Most agreed a second chance should be enough. The safety of other students has to be protected, they said.

“I believe in second chances,” member Sheila Moulton said. “But we can’t have a revolving door — in and out.”

Member Deanna Wright said parents, ultimately, have to take responsibility.

“At some point, we have to say to parents, ‘We have done our job. It’s your responsibility to make sure your student does what needs to be done.’”

Board members said they also want to revise the district’s discipline policy to address cyber-bullying, which they said is becoming an increasing problem.

Discussion: 6 comments so far…

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By neiman1

March 26, 2009

4:58 p.m.

Suggest removal

Were 31% of the students meeting the criteria for mandatory expulsion also black. If not, the figures may point to something. If they do, they may point to something else.
By starrynite7

March 26, 2009

6:49 p.m.

Suggest removal

Parents need to teach their children how to behave in school. Obviously the parents are at fault in this situation. Teachers and schools can only put up with so much bad behavior before students need to be expelled. If a certain minority of students are being expelled, then obviously those parents need to be stricter with setting boundaries with their children. Our children are a reflection of who we are as parents. Students that assault teachers or sell drugs or any number of offenses should be expelled. Period. Any more chances and the students will be running the schools into the gutter. 31% of the students that are being expelled should be a wake-up call to those parents. I don't think race is a factor with the expulsions at all. Students are expelled based on horrific behavior that is ruining the learning environment for the students that are following the rules.
By getalife

March 26, 2009

7:26 p.m.

Suggest removal

OK here is a short story, when I was 16 I had to appear before the Principal for a rather serious drinking offense. My parents were called in and my Dad went ballistic, at me. When we got home I got my a$$ kicked. My belongings were put in the driveway and my parents handed me a twenty-dollar bill and said "If you are so cool and tough, the world awaits". Needless to say I changed and got my $h!t together.

Fast forward, a different young man with the same "problem" gets in trouble at school, the parents blame the school and when the kid gets home the parents are too "busy" to deal with it. Nothing changes. Kid ends up in worse trouble over time.

The first story is true, the second story appears to be the way things work now.

We, as a society, will go nowhere pampering our kids, I can't believe we are talking about "racial profiling" instead of finding out why the problem exists.
By pghteacher

March 27, 2009

6:38 a.m.

Suggest removal

As a former teacher I can state that the Board needs to keep the schools free from those who cannot function in a traditional school. I don't care what color the offenders are; if they disrupt the educational process, then they must be removed from their school. If schools are consistent in their discipline, let the lawyers battle, but keep our kids safe. Schools are not the safe havens most adults remember. Schools are becoming dangerous venues for dysfunctional youths to vent their frustrations. Boards need to remember their duty to the majority of our students who want to enjoy their education and maximize their potential. Keep up the good work Clark County!!
By cloudclown

March 28, 2009

8:07 a.m.

Suggest removal

If student problems are statistically more prevalent in the black community, then treat the black community as such. Use the same measuring tool on white, black, red and yellow. Because you're black doesn't give you special priviledges, as some would like to claim. Same goes for the others. All of the "new money" that Pres Obama is claiming for "Education" is NOT GOING TO HELP EDUCATION ONE BIT! unless a "new" policy re discipline is established for the classroom. Education, per sec, is not group-e-ism and cored around the "round table discussion" and format that is now the mainstay in the classroom. If we want math & science grades to bring The U.S. from the bottom of the list, then you've got to hold students responsibile in the learning process; Good teachers,attentive students, concerned parents,lots of homework and teachers creating a two-way-street in communicating materials AND evaluation.
By Ariel

March 28, 2009

9:28 a.m.

Suggest removal

I have worked at a Behavior Jr/Sr High School for 4 years now and must say I am disgusted at seeing so many students returning not just once again for a second chance but 3..4..5 times before they have been disruptive enough to be sent to a Continuation school. Alot of these students are just given grades to get them out... not given the grades they earned or deserved. I firmly believe these incorrigibles are being promoted as no one can deal with them being so far out of control... totally undisciplined and disrespectful to parents, teachers, society, etc. How sad the times have changed 180* and we've ended up with this unintelligent and defiant mess. My school alone enrolls approx. 1000 students a year through its revolving doors. Wake up parents and society! The future looks scary enough these days with our economic situation... but scarier to look at the current generation being bred for the future. Yikes!!! Maybe a big fear of God... little fear of parents... and a good old fashion spanking is in order along with restriction of material items and freedoms as a time out... instead of children screaming CPS... child abuse... and law suits! Parents need to take back control! Didn't hurt me a bit! But this situation is hurting everyone!!!