Internal Affairs: Los Altos a hotbed of youth violence. Or maybe not. - San Jose Mercury News:
"The real danger in schools report? Author's accuracy
The Pacific Research Institute in San Francisco last week trumpeted a study, 'Not As Safe As You Think,' that insisted public schools underreport campus dangers.
IA was astounded at the numbers in the report, which listed the state's 100 worst schools based on suspensions and expulsions in four categories. Shock turned to incredulity when we noticed that among the state's (allegedly) most dangerous schools was Santa Rita elementary, in that bastion of inner-city violence — Los Altos.
Despite being one of Santa Clara County's top performers on state tests last year, the school was listed as having had 244 cases of discipline for violence, injury and weapons. Not even close, said Los Altos Superintendent Tim Justus, who hadn't seen the survey until alerted by IA. (The school reported three suspensions for violence or drugs.)"
"The real danger in schools report? Author's accuracy
The Pacific Research Institute in San Francisco last week trumpeted a study, 'Not As Safe As You Think,' that insisted public schools underreport campus dangers.
IA was astounded at the numbers in the report, which listed the state's 100 worst schools based on suspensions and expulsions in four categories. Shock turned to incredulity when we noticed that among the state's (allegedly) most dangerous schools was Santa Rita elementary, in that bastion of inner-city violence — Los Altos.
Despite being one of Santa Clara County's top performers on state tests last year, the school was listed as having had 244 cases of discipline for violence, injury and weapons. Not even close, said Los Altos Superintendent Tim Justus, who hadn't seen the survey until alerted by IA. (The school reported three suspensions for violence or drugs.)"