School Assault Data not being Properly Reported in Colorado

The Denver Post

This article was the first in a two-part series looking at the problems with the state's reporting system for school violence.

What do a rape at Kennedy High School in Denver, a boy stabbed with a metal ruler that had been sharpened with a pair of scissors, and a boy bloodying another in a fight have in common?  According to this article, none were reported to the state as required by law.

An investigation found that "the school safety information offered to parents lacks state oversight and varies wildly from one district to the next."  This includes incidents that the police would consider a felony.

Analysis
There are many reasons school administrators do not report violence.  Fear of being labeled a "persistently Dangerous school", fear of being wrong, and including abject ignorance of the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony.  It is even possible that some administrators think that they are protecting that child from being labeled by not reporting.  

The last is misguided and does a disservice to the other children in the school.  Of the other reasons, the abject ignorance is one that can be easily remedied.  Most law enforcement officers would be glad to provide an in-service to school staff as to what differentiates a misdemeanor from a felony. 

Schools are supposed to be a safe haven for children and staff.  If something happens that threatens the safety of the school or those in it, it is the duty of the the school staff to assess it, and notify law enforcement.  It may be nothing, but the school should allow the professionals to determine if it is something or not.  Schools, by and large, do not diagnose illness.  They report sickness to parents, and in severe cases, the public health department.  No less should be done for instance of school violence.

The skills needed for the initial assessment can be found in Staying Alive.

Canadian School Has School Safety Issues

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Brentwood Elementary, a school in Elk Island Schools, showed that school violence is not just an American problem.

A fourth grade student assaulted a teacher's aide.  That same student was allegedly in possession of a "hit list".  The school district met with parents, but were unable to share information wanted by the parents, due to privacy concerns.

Analysis
In Staying Alive, we make the point that school attacks are not limited to American schools.  They occur all over the world.  In fact, most people reading the above story without looking at the title would most likely assume they are reading about a U.S. school.