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Student suspensions dip slightly in public schools
Sexual assault incidents rise from 3 to 19 in year
Joany Nazdin, Maryland Independent (Oct. 1, 2008)
Charles County public school students were disciplined with fewer suspensions last year, with 5,490 in 2007-08, down from 5,662 in 2006-07, according to the Charles County public schools.
This is a 3 percent reduction in the suspension rates from the previous year.
In suspension categories, results were mixed.
Suspensions for sexual assaults in the schools increased, with 19 suspensions this year, compared to three in 2006-07. The rate of sexual assaults quintupled, with a 500 percent increase.
Tardiness increased from 42 incidents that caused suspension in 2006-07, to 127 incidents in 2007-08. Truancy decreased from 155 incidents in 2006-07, to 120 incidents in 2007-08, according to the figures from the school system. This is a 22.5 percent decrease in the rate of truancy. Tardiness, however, increased 202 percent, which makes it the largest increase in the category of suspendable offenses.
Suspensions for alcohol-related offenses were up, from 27 in 2006-07 to 35 in 2007-08, but there were two fewer suspensions for drugs in the same time period, from 72 to 70, and the tobacco-related suspensions were down from 19 to 10 in the same period. This is an 8 percent increase in alcohol suspension, and a 2.7 percent decrease in drug suspensions. Tobacco offenses were down 47 percent.
Weapons and guns were considerably down, from three firearms suspensions in 2006-07, to none in the 2007-08 school year.
One hundred and twenty-seven fewer suspensions were recorded for fighting in 2007-08, down from 827 in 2006-07 to 700 in 2007-08. This is a 15 percent decrease in the rate of suspensions for fighting.
Sexual harassment suspensions decreased in the same period, from 65 to 40 reported suspensions. Sexual activity suspensions doubled from nine incidents in 2006-07 to 18 in 2007-08.
Disrespect incidents were slightly down, from 575 in 2006-07 to 572 in 2007-08. Acts of inciting and participating in a disturbance were also down, from 378 in 2006-07 to 322 in 2007-08. This was a small .5 percent decrease.
Vandalism and destruction of property suspensions remained steady at 48 incidents in both school years 2006-07 and 2007-08.
According to Katie O'Malley-Simpson, school spokeswoman, it depends on what the crime is before the school calls for police involvement.
"We refer all criminal matters to the police," O'Malley-Simpson said. "Drugs are illegal. We already have juvenile intervention officers in the schools."
The records of all juvenile offenders are sealed under law.
Juvenile intervention officers are members of the Charles County Sheriff's Office, who are stationed in the school buildings.
Suspensions for using portable communications devices are back on the upswing. In 2005-06, there were 931 suspensions, which dropped to 161 in 2006-07. In 2007-08, 324 suspensions were recorded. This is a 101 percent increase in the use of portable communications devices over the past year.
According to Terrylynn M. Tyrell, education director for Advocates for Children and Youth, a Maryland nonprofit, Charles County is the exception to the rule in Maryland.
In 2004, a bill was passed in the Maryland General Assembly that stated that PBIS, or Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, would be required in any elementary school that has a suspension rate of greater than 20 percent of the school's enrollment.
Tyrell claims the decrease in the numbers of suspensions is due to Charles County adopting and widely using the program.
Ronald G. Cunningham, deputy superintendent for the county's public schools, thinks that PBIS is a big part of the lower rate of suspensions.
"PBIS helps adults and students decide which behavior is appropriate," Cunningham said. "We use other tools on the instructional side also, such as keeping students actively engaged in their classes."
Keith Grier, the public schools' director of student services, said in the press release from Advocates for Children and Youth, "PBIS has proven to have a dramatic positive effect on the school culture. PBIS provides guidance for the staff and students to set expectations for academic, social and personnel behaviors."
Two of the county's elementary schools — Dr. Thomas L. Higdon in Newburg, and Mary H. Matula in La Plata — have had only three pupils suspended for the 2007-08 school year.
Timothy Rosin, principal of Matula, took over the school after Principal Carol Leveillee transferred to Mary B. Neal Elementary School.
Rosin has been the school's principal since July 1, and so far this year Matula has had no suspensions.
"I attribute our success to the combination of strong character education and the PBIS program," Rosin said.
Kenneth Schroeck, principal of Piccowaxen Middle School, had 42 suspensions in the 2007-08 school year.
"I think all schools have seen a decline," Schroeck said, "but since we started the PBIS program, a lot of teachers have seen it as a way to address student behavior. It helps the students to make good decisions."
Piccowaxen was a PBIS Exemplar School last year.
Evelyn Arnold, principal of La Plata High School, had the lowest number of high school suspensions in the county, with 314 suspensions recorded.
"Our philosophy is to keep kids in school whenever we can," Arnold said.
"Before we suspend a kid, we have Saturday school or in-school detention programs which we will try. We also have the hiatus program, which is like a school within a school. The hiatus program is staffed with a teacher and an aide, and is another way for students to remain connected to the school. Suspension is the last resort."
O'Malley-Simpson said the numbers of school suspensions varies with the class of students.
"Every class is different," O'Malley-Simpson said.
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