ON-CAMPUS DRUG POSSESSION: CLERICAL ERRORS COULD MISCONSTRUE STATISTICS

Clerical errors could be one of the reasons some Bossier Parish
students appeared to receive a less harsh punishment for having
illegal or prescription drugs on campus than possessing
over-the-counter drugs last year.

Discipline statistics have taken on an immense importance as school
systems across the nation try to quantify school safety. Federal No
Child Left Behind education reform requires that states create a list
of "persistently dangerous" schools based on crime and discipline data.

Louisiana officials earlier this year analyzed drug- and
weapon-related expulsions, those for anti-social or violent behavior
like vandalism or fighting and expulsions tied to serious crimes
committed at school to determine whether schools could be considered
unsafe.

They also surveyed school system officials about on-campus crime
because until this year school systems didn't compile those statistics
separately.

Data can vary widely around the state because, while discipline
policies must follow state law, they can vary widely, said Bobby
Franklin, director of the state Department of Education division of
planning, analysis and resources.

"One district might have higher suspensions than another, not
necessarily because their kids are worse, but because their policy is
stricter," Franklin said.

While no Louisiana schools fell into the "persistently dangerous"
category, a handful around the state showed enough discipline actions
or crimes in at least one category to be put on the warning list. Six
Bossier Parish schools were on the list because of incorrect
information system officials submitted.

The six were removed from the list after system officials double
checked their statistics and submitted new data.

Incorrect coding on discipline reports from the 2002-03 school year
made it appear two Benton High School students received an in-school
suspension for having illegal or prescription drugs at school. In
reality, the students had chewing tobacco in the unrelated incidents.

But administrators filling out the discipline forms incorrectly
checked a code that classifies the offense as "use/possess controlled
substance" instead of the code that specifies "use/possess tobacco or
lighter."

In both cases, the students were referred to an in-school suspension
program for three days.