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Issue Paper Snapshot
Safety and Student Behavior |
Public concern about issues related to school safety and discipline
has ranked at or near the top of opinion polls for at least two
decades. Although most adults say that parents are responsible for the
behavior of their children, they also expect schools to provide a safe
and orderly environment.
Talking Issues
- All children have a right to learn in a safe and productive
classroom.
- Teachers, students and the public agree that the presence of
disruptive students in the classroom is an infringement on the
rights of students who are not disruptive.
- In 1997, a WEAC-supported bill was enacted that permits teachers
to dismiss from their classrooms unruly, dangerous, or disruptive
students, in accordance with a student code of conduct, which must
be developed by all school boards.
- Schools mirror what is happening in society. The problems that
exist in schools also exist in the larger society.
- Most schools have zero tolerance policies, and as of 1996-97, 80
percent of the nations schools had some type of violence
prevention program (the percent has grown since 1996-97).
- Most schools also have implemented programs to help students deal
with conflict in nonviolent ways.
For More Information
The complete issue paper
National Education Association Web site -
http://www.nea.org/issues/safescho/
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