THERE IS NO question that the Anne Arundel school system's get-tough policy on weapons has been effective in removing disruptive kids from classrooms.
As of mid-April, 352 students had been expelled for violating rules on weapons and assaults, compared to less than 300 for all reasons during the 1994-95 school year. Officials said they expected as much when they instituted a "zero tolerance" policy against violence and weapons in schools.
(Incidentally, Anne Arundel officials weighed the penalty for pepper spray, the substance that has caused a ruckus in Baltimore County schools, and decided not to include it among items meriting automatic expulsion.)
Despite the greater number of expulsions, it should be kept in mind that these represent a minority of the 71,000 students enrolled. The vast majority have not had any problems adhering to the stricter policy.
Removing disruptive children from classrooms is good for teachers as well as the rest of the student body. Although the system hasn't compiled figures to determine whether classroom disturbances have decreased, teachers and administrators believe the new policy has led to fewer assaults on adults. Superintendent Carol S. Parham says students now have a better understanding of consequences and are thus more willing to abide by the rules.
What is particularly troubling is the relatively large number of elementary and middle school students who have been expelled. Though the popular perception is that high school students carry knives and guns to school, elementary schoolers have been expelled more than their older brethren this year. They are
responsible for 47 of the system's 112 weapons expulsions, almost twice as many as in the high schools. Twenty-four high school students and 41 middle-school pupils are no longer in class because they brought weapons to school grounds.
Dealing with this small, but growing legion of expelled youngsters is one outcome yet to be addressed. Given a lack of resources, it isn't possible to place them all in alternative settings. Yet, most of these students will be returning to school next year. The Board of Education needs to explore ways to prepare these children so they behave when they return.
Pub Date: 5/03/96
