Schools not dealing with violent students
Wednesday, May 20th, 2009
By: Tom MacDonald
tmacdonald@whyy.org
A new report says crime in the city of Philadelphia's public schools has hit record levels.
Listen:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Pennsylvania Safe Schools Advocate Jack Stollsteimer says part of the problem is that city schools aren't expelling violent children.
Stollsteimer: if we're not going to discipline the violent kids, the kids who are assaulting the teachers, who are just there trying to give them a chance at the American dream, we're not going to get anywhere in education.
Stollsteimer says fixed metal detectors in all schools could help, but the district only wants to use hand-held wands at elementary and middle schools. Chief safety executive James Golden says the district's crime statistics are improving.
Golden: So far this year we have seen a 14 percent reduction in violent incidents and an 11 percent reduction in all reportable incidents.
The safe schools advocate says Superintendent Arlene Ackerman is working to reduce crimes in the schools.