AJC.com > Blogs > Get Schooled > Archives > 2007 > September > 24
Monday, September 24, 2007
The Case Of The Missing Discipline Reports
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For a couple months now, every so often, I’ve been checking the state Department of Education Web site for the release of the latest discipline reports, which, for reasons unbeknownst to me, are extremely late this year.
Typically, school crime statistics are published in July — always, quietly, mind you. There’s never any press release to announce that the data’s out there.
I’ve repeatedly asked Dana Tofig, the DOE’s spokesman, about the reports, which provide information on serious discipline and criminal behavior for each school system in the state. I’m still waiting for an answer about when they’ll be released to the public. (Hint, hint.)
In the meantime, Dana’s colleague, Matt Cardoza, said he’s sending me numbers on all discipline incidents that occurred during the 2006-07 school year — not just the most serious, which state officials use to evaluate campus safety.
I’ll post the information here as soon as I get it.
UPDATE: Matt tells me that the discipline reports should be posted on the department’s Web site by tomorrow. In the meantime, here’s some statistics to ponder.
Last school year in Georgia’s public schools, there were: 72 robberies; 20 rifles, 119 handguns and 2,640 knives confiscated (in addition to 2,163 “other” weapons); 3,967 batteries; 4,980 cases of vandalism; 65,934 fights; 129,976 instances of disorderly conduct; 94 sexual batteries; 5,589 “other” sexual offenses, including sexual harassment; and 197 cases of serious bodily injury. Ouch!
If my calculations are correct, all told, Georgia’s public school students committed 1,078,038 disciplinary offenses last school year. Question: Is anyone surprised by these numbers?
Services »
