FREE ESSAY ON SCHOOL VIOLENCE

SCHOOL VIOLENCE

Eng. 105-Gordon
Problem: Violence in schools around the nation is a serious problem. It includes gang
activity, theft, bullying and intimidation, and the use of guns and other weapons. The
total number of crimes committed in public schools has risen to close three million each
year. In fact, according to the National Crisis Victimization Survey Report, conducted in
1999, about 9 percent of all students were victimized at least once during a six-month
period. Although violence is a problem in any setting, the problem is compounded when it
pertains to schools; it not only hinders the educational process, but also creates
unnecessary burden on children.
Proposed Solution: The use of the National Government's budget surplus to fund law
enforcement for nationwide public school districts on a permanent basis. Although it
would be costly, this measure would allow local law enforcement to safeguard schools in
their respective districts. Depending on the size of each district, size of the school,
and severity of crime in the school, officers would be assigned on either a permanent or
rotating basis to maintain as safe an environment as possible.
Justification: As of now, other proposals and acts designed to prevent violence in
schools have not worked as well as planned. Existing measures such as suspension or
expulsion have not been a serious threat to perpetrators of crime. In addition, the
majority of schools in the public schooling systems are adverse to more extreme forms
violence prevention such as corporal punishment. Although it would be costly to local and
state government agencies, the federal budget surplus would be able to provide annual
compensation for the proposed solution. Because the future of the nation lies in the
hands of the children, they should be able to receive an education without fear and
unnecessary burden.