CCSD board members discuss alarming rate of middle school student behavioral incidents
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Clark County School officials are alarmed over the growing number of behavior problems at middle schools. CCSD data showed nearly 7,800 middle school students were suspende… Clark County School District (CCSD) officials are concerned about the increasing number of middle school student behavior incidents, which have led to nearly 7,800 students being suspended from August to December. The issue is particularly concerning as these students are in elementary school during the distance-learning part of COVID-19. Administrators are focusing on the problem schools by holding town halls to find out the root cause. The suspension of black and African-American students continues to be at a disproportionate level compared to other groups. The district plans to introduce a new student code of conduct next year, adding restorative practice and placing re-entry plans for kids kicked out of school.
Published : 4 weeks ago by Julia Romero, Joshua Peguero in
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Clark County School officials are alarmed over the growing number of behavior problems at middle schools.
CCSD data showed nearly 7,800 middle school students were suspended from August to December. Board of trustee members discussed the data at a meeting on Thursday night.
The issue is of concern because it is behavior that they believe is forcing kids out of the classroom and away from academics. School officials believe the pandemic may have played a role in the behavioral issues they have seen.
“This is definitely an area of focus for us. It is noted that these were in elementary school during the distance-learning part of COVID-19, and we are seeing differences in patterns of behavior in these students,” CCSD Assistant Superintendent Kevin McPartlin said.
Administrators said they are zeroing in on the problem schools, by holding town halls to get to the root cause.
“Common conflicts that sometimes occur on the playground, during class period, change of classes. Before and after school,” CCSD Assistant Superintendent Sam Scavella said.
A data point that stood out to school board trustees was the suspension of black and African-American students. The demographic continues to be suspended at a disproportionate level compared to other groups. CCSD School Board Trustee Lola Brooks said just being able to see the data is key.
“That’s how we can tell that our black and African American students continue to be disciplined at a higher rate than other students. We’re trying to close these gaps,” she said.
Overall, the district says across all schools suspensions and expulsions are down so far this year compared to last year.
CCSD will introduce a new student code of conduct next year that will add restorative practice and put in place re-entry plans for kids kicked out of school.