Videos of fights prompt discussion about classroom safety in Georgia’s schools

A spate of cell phone videos showing students and even educators fighting has raised concerns that schools are becoming more violent.

The number of fights reported by schools went from 46,399 during the 2011-12 school year to 53,462 during the 2015-16 school year, a 15 percent increase, according to state data. Reports of batteries have increased about fivefold during the same time span, the data show.

State education officials note more students are attending public schools, about 75,000 more between the 2012 and 2016 school years, so the percentage of students getting in fights is about the same as it was five years ago. They also say schools are more vigilant about reporting violent acts on school grounds.