The Secretary of Education, Arne Ducan, along with Mr. Eric Holder, Attorney General with the Department of Justice, recently visited Chicago to investigate crime in the public schools. After the tragic death of Derrion Albert, a honor student, who attend a public school in Chicago, was beaten to death, by a group of gang members. The question of violence in the schools became a lead story and topic of the media. This topic has also raised many questions by many parents of the safety in public schools. While not all public schools are unsafe, many are in a critical care condition in some neighborhoods, of today's larger cities.
This is not the first incident of violence in Chicago's schools, it's just one of the many death's attributed by gang violence, in these troubled communities. Faced by increased number of teacher lay offs, and reduction in school funding, student drop out rate, outside prevelance of crime, and the desire to take over parts of the community, seem to tbe the chief problem. The Attorney General, says, " this is not a black problem or a white problem". However it is clear, it is a problem of conditions. While these conditions exist in low income communities already plagued by crime, students living in these communities are victims of these crimes.
Budgets have already caused trouble schools to get worse, despite efforts for school improvement. Crime ridden communities threaten students who " snitch", and reward those who engage in crime. Does sending the Secetary of Education back to his own neighborhood, change what should be done? While the issue has be addressed privately by the Director, among students and parents, the rate of violence is still at 5o percent.
Will parents wait for the verdict or answer on how to improve school safety. This is already an alarming percentage, when you think of the number of student enrolled in public schools to be estimated over 47. 8 million.
What do you think? Is safety an concern in your neighborhood? Are there incidents of gang violence in the community you live in? Why is violence such a problem in today's public schools? Do you know of this type of violence in private schools? Why is there a difference? What do you think our role could play in helping you child?
