Reading, PA: Violence and disruptions in schools

Sept 3, 2017, Reading (PA) Eagle: Reading School District addresses violence at Reading Intermediate High School http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/making-reading-intermediate-high-school-safer During interviews with the Reading Eagle, several current and former teachers described an environment in which they have little control. They routinely fear for their own safety and the safety of their students. Some feel helpless, often forced to choose between breaking up a fight - risking child abuse allegations - and watching from the sidelines, hoping the violence stops before serious injury occurs. According to these teachers, students run the show. A small percentage of children focused on causing trouble disrupts classes and distracts others, and administrators often avoid disciplinary practices such as assigning persistently disruptive students to alternative placements or suspending them from school.... For incidents involving staff and students, the numbers are even more striking. Assaults on staff members at the intermediate high school accounted for more than 40 percent of all staff assaults in Berks schools and close to 60 percent within the district over the past five years, according to data available during that time. …