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In the 2007-08 academic year, School District U-46 recorded 7,082 suspensions for its six high schools.
The next year, this number dropped to 4,639. While t it rose to 5,110 in 2009-10, this figure dropped to 1,676 so far this school year. The number of expulsions decreased from 21 in the 2008-09 year to two in the 2009-10 year, a 90 percent decline.
These statistics represent substantial decreases, and it’s apparent something good is going on within U-46. When a school district can demonstrate that disciplinary problems resulting in suspensions have lowered dramatically over the past several years, it shows that administrators and staff members are on to something.
U-46 officials said they have been proactive in attempting to thwart problems between students before they grow out of control. If personnel can spot behavior that could lead to conflicts before fights break out, they may be able to diffuse the situation.
One thing the district has done is to implement a weapons prevention program. Since 2007, students have been checked at random for weapons in up to six classrooms every month by setting up metal detectors.
Since 2009, School District U-46 also has had staff members trained in safety procedures by the Crisis Prevention Institute. The Milwaukee-based organization teaches its clients how to recognize problems in people before violence breaks out and how to lessen the potential for confrontation.
The group has taught more than 6 million people nationwide, including representatives from the Chicago Police Department and Chicago Public Schools. About 20 percent of the U-46 staff has been trained by the institute so far.
These measures appear to have helped U-46 achieve noteworthy reductions in conflicts between students. By increasing the number of staffers who are better prepared to de-escalate aggression, more students can focus on their school work and getting good grades. This is one piece of good news that deserves our attention.
In the 2007-08 academic year, School District U-46 recorded 7,082 suspensions for its six high schools.
The next year, this number dropped to 4,639. While t it rose to 5,110 in 2009-10, this figure dropped to 1,676 so far this school year. The number of expulsions decreased from 21 in the 2008-09 year to two in the 2009-10 year, a 90 percent decline.
These statistics represent substantial decreases, and it’s apparent something good is going on within U-46. When a school district can demonstrate that disciplinary problems resulting in suspensions have lowered dramatically over the past several years, it shows that administrators and staff members are on to something.
U-46 officials said they have been proactive in attempting to thwart problems between students before they grow out of control. If personnel can spot behavior that could lead to conflicts before fights break out, they may be able to diffuse the situation.
One thing the district has done is to implement a weapons prevention program. Since 2007, students have been checked at random for weapons in up to six classrooms every month by setting up metal detectors.
Since 2009, School District U-46 also has had staff members trained in safety procedures by the Crisis Prevention Institute. The Milwaukee-based organization teaches its clients how to recognize problems in people before violence breaks out and how to lessen the potential for confrontation.
The group has taught more than 6 million people nationwide, including representatives from the Chicago Police Department and Chicago Public Schools. About 20 percent of the U-46 staff has been trained by the institute so far.
These measures appear to have helped U-46 achieve noteworthy reductions in conflicts between students. By increasing the number of staffers who are better prepared to de-escalate aggression, more students can focus on their school work and getting good grades. This is one piece of good news that deserves our attention.
