Rise in Classroom Violence Alarms Educators
CHARLOTTE — Student assaults and threats against school
employees surged by almost 60 percent in North Carolina over the
past three years, and some teachers say it’s time to fight back.
Teachers say they’ve become frightened of some of the children
they are supposed to serve: a small population of angry and defiant
students, habitual offenders who often have little social training or
parental supervision.
Statistics show more students are kicking, slapping, biting,
punching and even exposing themselves to adults at school.
“It’s not all kids, but you’re seeing some coming to school
much more aggressive than they’ve ever been. They’re explosive,”
said Rick Hinson, principal of Charlotte’s Independence High
School.
No concise national figures are kept, but studies have estimated
that about 11 percent of the more than 2.5 million U.S. teachers have
been victims of violence at school. About 5,200 teachers are attacked
monthly, said Ronald Stephens, executive director of the National
School Safety Center in Westlake Village, Calif.
North Carolina recorded 1,375 incidents last school year, up
from 873 four years ago. Besides the higher numbers, education
leaders note that one in every three assaults occurred in elementary
schools.
Educators in North Carolina and elsewhere say part of the
reason the crime and violence numbers are on the rise is because
schools are cracking down more on troublemakers. Education leaders
around the region are toughening up discipline codes. Principals are
teaching school employees strategies to handle potentially dangerous
students.