Designation of “Persistently Dangerous” Schools and a “Watch List”

1. Designation of “Persistently Dangerous” Schools and a “Watch List” August 22, 2006

2. Actions Announced Today • 17 schools added today to list of “persistently dangerous” schools • 10 schools named to a ‘watch list” • Additional actions to ensure increased accountability and accuracy.

3. A “persistently dangerous” school has many serious incidents involving: • Homicide • Sexual offenses • Robbery • Assault with physical injury • Arson • Kidnapping • Reckless endangerment • Possession, use or threatened use of a weapon

4. Criteria to designate “persistently dangerous” schools • Each incident is weighted for seriousness. • Weightings are added. Total is divided by enrollment. • Result is an “index” number.

5. A school is considered “persistently dangerous” if for both 2004-05 and 2005-06, it has either: • An index of 1.5 (This is approximately 6 incidents per 100 students, more or less depending on the seriousness of the incidents.) • At least 60 serious incidents and an index of at least .50

6. Steps to identify schools • 92 schools met one of these criteria for 2004-2005. • They were then asked to submit data for 2005-2006 and any documentation that might change their 2004-2005 data. • Data for 2005-2006 were then reviewed. • A total of 17 new schools were then designated as “persistently dangerous.” • These schools must offer choice to students and submit an incident reduction plan to be approved by the Commissioner.

7. Criteria for “watch list” • Data for 2005-06 showed some of the 92 schools were close to the criteria for “persistently dangerous” designation. • “Watch list” created of schools that had an index of 1.25 OR at least 50 serious incidents and an index of .40, based on 2005-06 data alone. • 10 schools are on the “watch list.” These schools are NOT considered “persistently dangerous.”

8. Actions Ahead • Visiting and monitoring schools and reviewing their data. Data of 25 schools already reviewed. Will issue the results of the monitoring for each school as soon as we have made a final determination. • Will continue to visit and monitor schools, reviewing their data. These results will also be made public as they are completed.   • Will give priority to visiting and reviewing the data for those schools that reported a major reduction in serious incidents from 2004-2005 to 2005-2006. • Will also give priority to reviewing schools that have zero incidents or alleged improprieties.

9. Actions Ahead 5. If we find schools have underreported and should be designated “persistently dangerous” or on the “watch list,” they will be so designated. 6. Will collect 05-06 data in late fall from all schools and determine status. 7. Holding training sessions for administrators. 8. Through New York State Center for School Safety, will provide assistance to schools designated. 9. Will convene representative group to advise on actions to take.

10. Actions Ahead • Accountability for all schools is essential. • Will therefore request 70 additional auditors and related staff to monitor and audit violent incident data, for fiscal oversight, and similar accountability.

11. What Actions Can Schools Take to Reduce Violence? • Training staff in violence prevention, classroom management, controlling transition between classes • Identification and counseling of students to prevent aggressive behavior • Tracking student behavior and using positive, negative reinforcement • Security, surveillance • Other subtle intervention – e.g., greeting students at school door, teachers and staff monitoring hallways between classes.

12. Designation of “Persistently Dangerous” Schools and a “Watch List” August 22, 2006