Student Conduct and Violence in Schools

Generally, the conduct of students in public school is a deterrent to getting a good education. Violent behavior, drugs in school, and misbehaving students are distracting and break the learning environment for others.

Violence in school creates an unsafe environment, and shifts the administrator's focus away from the curriculum towards solving the dilemma of violence. When the environment that surrounds the students is not secure they become more preoccupied with their own safety than they do about learning (Rehr). This disturbing behavior also takes both the student's and teacher's time away from the education process. As Albert Shanker has written, "Nobody ever learns in a classroom that has one or two kids who take ninety percent of the time through violence or threats of violence. It deprives children of an opportunity to learn" (464). To cut down on violence, schools have guards at the entrance, gates, or metal detectors in buildings. The effect of this though is that students sometimes have to miss first period because of the length of time it takes to check everyone's bag. In addition, it can cause feelings of intimidation or anxiety due to the fact that "when you put metal detectors in buildings, that's a statement that schools are violence-ridden, out of control, and unsafe" (Glazer 790). This worries educators because they start to "question whether a prison-like atmosphere, even when it is effective in reducing crime, can in the long run be compatible with good education" (David 12).

In correlation with crime in schools are illegal drugs. Drugs seems to be the majority cause of violent behavior in school. "Teachers tell of some students being sent home because they were drunk; others have been involved in fights with other students, teachers, and administrators while under the influence of alcohol" (David 8). When these students come to class under the influence of drugs or alcohol they are not able to learn or function responsibly in school. This not only hurts them but also others who become more vulnerable when they see this behavior and do not see the person getting any kind of discipline. As one student said, "If you get caught they will slap you on the wrist, say 'Don't do it again', or maybe send you to a different school. Big deal" (Lipsky 104). This kind of thinking makes drug use legitimate to other students.

A third behavior students engage in that causes disruption and time taken away in classes is simply misbehavior.