HAVING 'THE MAN' ON CAMPUS
ARE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS (SROs) AND/OR CAMPUS POLICE NECESSARY
Are you ready to hear about the latest craze in school security? That's right folks, it's the one, the only, campus police!
Now, I know what you're thinking. "But wait, won't having police officers on campus make our kids safer?" Well, hold onto your hats because we're about to dive into the pros and cons of having these law enforcement officials patrolling our schools.
First up, let's talk about the pro's. Having police on campus can deter crime and make students feel safer. Plus, if there were to be an active shooter situation, having trained professionals on hand could potentially save lives.
But, as with anything in life, there are also some cons to consider. One major issue is the criminalization of kids. We all know that teenagers can make some questionable decisions, but is it really necessary to have them arrested for minor offenses? And let's not forget about the controversies surrounding School Resource Officers (SROs) and cops on campus. Some argue that their presence can actually make students feel more anxious and targeted.
But here's the kicker - having police on campus might not even be helpful in an active shooter situation. In fact, some studies have shown that the presence of armed officers can actually escalate the violence. So, what's the solution? Maybe we should focus on implementing better mental health resources and conflict resolution programs instead of relying solely on law enforcement.
Overall, it's clear that there are both pros and cons to having police on campus. But one thing is for sure - we need to have a serious conversation about school safety and come up with solutions that prioritize the well-being of our students. And who knows, maybe one day we'll look back on this trend and laugh about how we thought having police officers in schools was a good idea.
Denver Public Schools appeals judge's order to release recording of secret meeting about SROs: "An embarrassment" - CBS Colorado https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/denver-public-schools-appeals-judges-order-release-recording-secret-meeting/
THE DEFT DIVE
Here are some of the pros and cons of having police officers in K-12 schools, based on the web search results:
Pros:
- - Police officers can provide a sense of security and deterrence for students and staff, especially in the case of an active shooter or other violent incident¹³.
- - Police officers can foster positive relationships with students and staff, and act as mentors, role models, and educators³.
- - Police officers can assist with emergency response, crime prevention, and law enforcement on campus, and coordinate with other agencies when needed³.
Cons:
- - Police officers can create a hostile and intimidating environment for students and staff, especially for those of color, who may face racial profiling, excessive force, improper surveillance, and criminalization¹².
- - Police officers can contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline, by arresting and referring students to the juvenile justice system for minor or nonviolent offenses that could be handled by school staff¹².
- - Police officers can interfere with students' rights to free speech and assembly, by blocking or clashing with protesters during student walkouts or demonstrations¹.
There are also some controversies surrounding the role and effectiveness of police officers on campus, such as:
- - The lack of clear policies and guidelines for the use of force, arrest, and referral by police officers on campus¹².
- - The lack of adequate training and supervision for police officers on campus, especially on issues such as cultural diversity, mental health, trauma-informed practices, and restorative justice¹².
- - The lack of accountability and transparency for police officers on campus, especially when they are involved in misconduct or abuse of power¹².
- - The cost and funding of police officers on campus, which may divert resources from other educational or social services that could benefit students and staff¹².
Bing, 6/27/2023
(1) Do Police Officers Make Schools Safer or More Dangerous?. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/12/us/schools-police-resource-officers.html.
(2) Campus Police VS. City Police - Law Enforcement Today. https://www.lawenforcementtoday.com/campus-police-vs-city-police/.
(3) 5 issues that could affect the future of campus police. https://theconversation.com/5-issues-that-could-affect-the-future-of-campus-police-163327.
(4) 14 Arming Teachers Pros and Cons – Should Teachers Be Armed?. https://futureofworking.com/14-arming-teachers-pros-and-cons-should-teachers-be-armed/.
The school-to-prison pipeline is a term that describes how some students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, are pushed out of school and into the criminal justice system because of harsh school policies and practices. According to Wikipedia¹, the school-to-prison pipeline is:
- > The disproportionate tendency of minors and young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds to become incarcerated because of increasingly harsh school and municipal policies. Additionally, this is due to educational inequality in the US. Many experts have credited factors such as school disturbance laws, zero-tolerance policies and practices, and an increase in police in schools in creating the "pipeline".
Some of the factors that contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline are:
- - Zero-tolerance policies that impose severe punishments for minor or nonviolent offenses, such as dress code violations, tardiness, or talking back to teachers¹².
- - School resource officers (SROs) or police officers who are assigned to schools and have the authority to arrest and refer students to the juvenile justice system¹².
- - Racial and ethnic disparities in school discipline, as students of color, especially Black and Hispanic boys, are more likely to be suspended, expelled, arrested, or referred than white students for similar or less serious offenses¹²³.
- - Lack of access to quality education, counseling, mental health services, and other supports that could help students stay in school and address their academic or behavioral needs¹²⁴.
The school-to-prison pipeline has negative consequences for students, schools, and society, such as:
- - Increased dropout rates, lower academic achievement, and reduced future opportunities for students who are pushed out of school¹²⁴.
- - Increased violence, disruption, and fear in schools that rely on punitive and exclusionary discipline measures¹²⁴.
- - Increased costs and burdens for the juvenile and criminal justice systems that have to deal with more cases of youth incarceration¹²⁴.
- - Increased social inequality, racial injustice, and human rights violations for communities that are disproportionately affected by the school-to-prison pipeline¹²⁴.
Bing, 6/27/2023
(1) School-to-prison pipeline - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School-to-prison_pipeline.
(2) Study Confirms School-to-Prison Pipeline - U.S. News & World Report. https://www.usnews.com/news/education-news/articles/2021-07-27/study-confirms-school-to-prison-pipeline.
(3) Shutting Down the School-to-Prison Pipeline - American Bar Association. https://www.americanbar.org/groups/crsj/publications/human_rights_magazine_home/empowering-youth-at-risk/shutting-down-the-school-to-prison-pipeline/.
(4) What is the School-to-Prison Pipeline? | ADL. https://www.adl.org/resources/lesson-plan/what-school-prison-pipeline.
Some alternatives to zero-tolerance policies are:
- - **School Wide Positive Behavior Support (SWPBS)**: This is a framework that promotes positive and proactive school discipline, by teaching and reinforcing expected behaviors, providing differentiated support for students with different needs, and using data to monitor and evaluate outcomes⁴.
- - **Monarch Room**: This is a program that provides a safe and supportive space for students who are experiencing emotional or behavioral difficulties, where they can receive counseling, conflict resolution, and restorative practices⁴.
- - **Inclusive Skill-Building Learning Approach (ISLA)**: This is an approach that integrates social-emotional learning and academic instruction, by using cooperative learning, project-based learning, and culturally responsive pedagogy⁴.
- - **Restorative Discipline**: This is an approach that focuses on repairing the harm caused by misconduct, rather than punishing the offender, by involving the affected parties in a dialogue, identifying the needs and obligations of each party, and reaching a mutually agreeable resolution⁵.
- - **Virginia Student Threat Assessment**: This is a model that helps schools identify and respond to students who pose a threat of violence, by using a multidisciplinary team, conducting a standardized assessment, and providing appropriate interventions¹.
These alternatives are based on the principles of prevention, intervention, support, and accountability, rather than exclusion, punishment, and criminalization. They aim to address the root causes of student misbehavior, such as trauma, stress, or unmet needs, and to help students develop the skills and competencies they need to succeed in school and life. They also seek to foster a positive school climate and culture, where students feel safe, respected, and valued. Research has shown that these alternatives can reduce disciplinary referrals, suspensions, expulsions, arrests, and dropout rates, as well as improve academic achievement, attendance, engagement, and social-emotional outcomes¹²⁴⁶.
Bing, 6/27/2023
(1) How Non-Zero Tolerance Policies Better Support Our Students: Part II. https://www.shankerinstitute.org/blog/how-non-zero-tolerance-policies-better-support-our-students-part-ii.
(2) An Alternative to “Zero Tolerance” Disciplinary Policies for Texas .... https://research.utexas.edu/showcase/articles/view/an-alternative-to-zero-tolerance-disciplinary-policies-for-texas-schools.
(3) 4 alternatives to zero tolerance discipline | K-12 Dive. https://www.k12dive.com/news/4-alternatives-to-zero-tolerance-discipline/403832/.
(4) Zero Tolerance and Alternative Strategies: A Fact Sheet for Educators .... https://naspcenter.org/factsheets/zero-tolerance-and-alternative-strategies/.
(5) Alternatives to Zero Tolerance Policies Affecting Students of Color: A .... https://sophia.stkate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1506&context=msw_papers.
(6) Zero Tolerance and Aggressive Policing (And Why to Avoid It) in Depth. https://www.rand.org/pubs/tools/TL261/better-policing-toolkit/all-strategies/zero-tolerance/in-depth.html.
There are different ways that schools can implement alternatives to zero-tolerance policies, depending on their needs, resources, and goals. Based on the web search results, here are some general steps that schools can take to adopt more effective and equitable discipline practices:
- - **Review and revise existing policies and practices**: Schools should examine their current discipline data and policies, and identify any areas of concern, such as high rates of exclusionary discipline, racial disparities, or student dissatisfaction. Schools should also consult with stakeholders, such as students, parents, teachers, administrators, and community members, to gather their input and feedback on the current situation and possible solutions²⁴.
- - **Select and adopt alternative approaches**: Schools should research and evaluate different alternative approaches to school discipline, such as those mentioned in the previous answer, and choose the ones that best fit their context and objectives. Schools should also consider how to integrate these approaches with their existing curriculum, instruction, and assessment systems²⁴.
- - **Provide training and support for staff and students**: Schools should ensure that all staff and students are familiar with the new approaches and understand their roles and responsibilities. Schools should also provide ongoing training and coaching for staff and students on how to implement the new approaches effectively and consistently. Schools should also create a positive school climate and culture that supports the new approaches²⁴.
- - **Monitor and evaluate outcomes**: Schools should collect and analyze data on the implementation and impact of the new approaches, such as changes in discipline rates, academic achievement, attendance, engagement, social-emotional skills, and school safety. Schools should also solicit feedback from stakeholders on their satisfaction and challenges with the new approaches. Schools should use this information to identify strengths and weaknesses, and make adjustments as needed²⁴.
These steps are not exhaustive or prescriptive, but rather indicative of some common elements that schools can follow to implement alternatives to zero-tolerance policies. Each school may have its own unique process and challenges, depending on its specific situation and needs. However, by following these steps, schools can move toward more effective and equitable discipline practices that benefit all students and staff.
Bing, 6/27/2023
(1) Zero Tolerance and Alternative Strategies: A Fact Sheet for Educators .... https://naspcenter.org/factsheets/zero-tolerance-and-alternative-strategies/.
(2) School-based restorative justice as an alternative to zero-tolerance .... https://www.law.berkeley.edu/files/thcsj/10-2010_School-based_Restorative_Justice_As_an_Alternative_to_Zero-Tolerance_Policies.pdf.
(3) Zero Tolerance Policy in Schools: Rationale, Consequences, and Alternatives. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/249400404_Zero_Tolerance_Policy_in_Schools_Rationale_Consequences_and_Alternatives.
(4) Survey: Understanding how U.S. public schools approach ... - Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brown-center-chalkboard/2023/01/19/survey-understanding-how-us-public-schools-approach-school-discipline/.
(5) What Are Zero Tolerance Policies in Schools? | Lawyers.com. https://www.lawyers.com/legal-info/research/education-law/whats-a-zero-tolerance-policy.html.
There are many examples of schools that have successfully implemented alternatives to zero-tolerance policies, such as the ones I mentioned in the previous answer. Here are some of them, based on the web search results:
- - **Cole Middle School** in Oakland, California, implemented a **school-based restorative justice** program in 2007, which involved using circles, conferences, and peer mediation to resolve conflicts and repair harm. The program reduced suspensions by 87%, expulsions by 100%, and referrals to law enforcement by 75%. The program also improved school climate, academic achievement, and student-teacher relationships⁵.
- - **Denver Public Schools** in Colorado adopted a **discipline matrix** in 2008, which provided a range of interventions and consequences for different types of infractions, based on their severity and frequency. The matrix also emphasized the use of restorative practices, prevention programs, and positive behavior support. The matrix reduced suspensions by 40%, expulsions by 60%, and referrals to law enforcement by 50%. The matrix also reduced racial disparities in discipline and increased graduation rates².
- - **Lincoln High School** in Walla Walla, Washington, implemented a **trauma-informed approach** in 2010, which recognized that many students had experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) that affected their behavior and learning. The approach involved training staff on how to respond to students' emotional and behavioral needs, providing counseling and support services, and using positive reinforcement and problem-solving strategies. The approach reduced suspensions by 85%, expulsions by 40%, and office referrals by 75%. The approach also improved attendance, academic performance, and student-teacher relationships⁴.
- - **Baltimore City Public Schools** in Maryland revised their **code of conduct** in 2008, which eliminated zero-tolerance policies and mandated the use of alternatives to suspension for minor offenses. The code of conduct also encouraged the use of restorative practices, social-emotional learning, and positive behavior support. The code of conduct reduced suspensions by 64%, expulsions by 40%, and arrests by 54%. The code of conduct also improved school climate, student engagement, and academic achievement¹.
These are just some examples of schools that have successfully implemented alternatives to zero-tolerance policies. There are many more schools across the country that are making similar efforts to improve their discipline practices and outcomes.
Bing, 6/27/2023
(1) School-based restorative justice as an alternative to zero-tolerance .... https://www.law.berkeley.edu/files/thcsj/10-2010_School-based_Restorative_Justice_As_an_Alternative_to_Zero-Tolerance_Policies.pdf.
(2) Alternative to Zero Tolerance Policies and Out-of-School ... - IUPUI. https://scholarworks.iupui.edu/bitstream/handle/1805/18971/Kyere_2018_alternative.pdf;sequence=1.
(3) 4 alternatives to zero tolerance discipline | K-12 Dive. https://www.k12dive.com/news/4-alternatives-to-zero-tolerance-discipline/403832/.
(4) Zero Tolerance and Alternative Strategies: A Fact Sheet for Educators .... https://naspcenter.org/factsheets/zero-tolerance-and-alternative-strategies/.
(5) Best Practices Alternatives to Zero Tolerance | CDE. https://www.cde.state.co.us/dropoutprevention/bestpracticesalternativestozerotolerance.
