School-related risk factors include academic failure and lack of commitment to school. School failure beginning in the late elementary years has been shown to increase the risk of adolescent substance abuse and delinquency. At the same time, commitment to school is a resiliency factor. Substance abuse and other antisocial behavior are significantly lower among adolescents who like school, plan to go to college, spend time on homework, and can relate their schoolwork to their daily lives. A child cannot live in fear.
Education is about possibilities.
Our goal is to provide students with a safe place to learn. The Strategy components discussed below seek to enhance school safety and focus on school-related risk and resiliency factors. All of the students involved were expelled and 27 percent were placed in alternative settings. This accords with Maryland's emphasis on restorative justice and holding youth accountable for their actions. At a time when we are making record setting investments in our children's education, we must make certain that all students can learn in safe and orderly schools.