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Trump signs executive order banning transgender athletes from women's sports, directing DOJ to enforce; Educators voice concern for PA immigrant student protections; WA rent stabilization bills have huge public support; ME benefits from $2.2 billion in federal clean energy investments.

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Nationwide protests erupt against federal policies, Indiana's EV infrastructure expansion stalls due to a funding freeze, and Washington state pushes for rent stabilization to combat rising housing costs.

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During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

Iowa researcher: 'Hardening' schools doesn't stop classroom violence

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Monday, November 25, 2024   

Researchers say increasing the police presence in schools isn't the best way to address classroom violence. One expert in Iowa says educators would do better to treat the underlying causes.

Fifty years ago, just 1% of the nation's public schools had police officers on campus. That number has jumped to more than 40% now.

The 1999 Columbine High School shooting in Colorado prompted officials to harden schools with more police presence, thinking it would keep students safer.

Iowa State University Associate Dean for the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice Monic Behnken said academic research shows that hasn't worked.

"What the literature is clear about for the past 20 years is actually the thing that you want to do is, you want to soften your schools," said Behnken. "You want to increase access to therapists, counselors, social workers, community liaisons."

Behnken said these professionals can address the emotional and social stressors among kids before they'd commit crimes.

She added that although school shootings have increased and get huge media attention when they happen, they are still statistically rare.

Behnken said data show that School Resource Officers (SROs), have next to no impact on stopping violence, bullying, or even schoolyard fights - but they do have a big impact in other areas.

"The research shows that SROs are good at policing," said Behnken. "So, they are fantastic in a school that has a drug problem. They are fantastic at a school that has a gang problem."

Behnken said otherwise, more officers on school campuses can do more harm than good - because school staff may learn to rely on SROs to solve discipline problems that administrators could handle without having to involve the police.




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