The
Spring 2013 issue of the Alaska Justice Forum is devoted
primarily to issues related to school discipline and the juvenile
justice system, and features three articles on "zero tolerance" policies
by Dean Williams, who was the Superintendent of the McLaughlin Youth Center; Carol Comeau, who was the Superintendent of the Anchorage School District; and William Hitchcock, who was the Master of the Anchorage Children’s Court. Background is provided through an examination of recent data on juvenile delinquency and school suspensions and expulsions for Alaska. A fifth article describes StepUp,
a diversion program for expelled or long-term suspended students
which has operated for the past four years in the Anchorage School
District. The issue also includes updates on Alaska Victimization Survey data releases, faculty and staff news, and a memorial to retired Justice Center faculty member Dr. Lawrence C. Trostle, who died in May.
The 12-page issue includes the following articles:
"Juvenile Justice, School Discipline, and Zero Tolerance"
This article introduces a special issue of the
Alaska Justice Forum
focusing on school discipline in relationship to juvenile justice,
particularly on the impact of the "zero tolerance" policies that emerged
from the Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994.
"Trends in Juvenile Delinquency, School Suspensions, and Expulsions" by André B. Rosay
and Marny Rivera
This article provides a context for a discussion of school
discipline issues by examining recent juvenile delinquency data for
Alaska and looking at the rates for school suspensions and expulsions.
The number of juveniles referred per 10,000 population, rate of
referrals, and rate of offenses referred to the Alaska Division of
Juvenile Justice have all shown marked declines since 2003, while the
rate of suspensions and expulsions reported in 2010–2011 increased
strikingly from those reported for prior school years .
"School Discipline and the Zero Tolerance Approach" by Dean Williams
This article explores the expansive breadth of research on the
issue of school discipline, especially with regard to the zero tolerance
approach to firearms in schools or other student disciplinary
infractions. School expulsion and suspension for many years has been
endorsed as not only appropriate, but essential to maintain school
safety and harmony. Extensive research, from a vast array of sources,
has challenged some long-held notions about school discipline and school
safety. An accompanying bibliography provides complete citation information and URLs for research cited.
"Does 'Zero Tolerance' Work? Alternatives to Out-of-School Suspension and Expulsion"by Carol Comeau
The policy of zero tolerance, which came out of the federal
Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994, mandates out-of-school suspensions for
firearms in schools, and has been applied to a number of additional
student disciplinary infractions, resulting in increased out-of-school
suspensions and expulsions. This article describes the effects of zero
tolerance on the Anchorage School District, the efforts of the school
district and a number of agencies to address the issue of juvenile crime
and school discipline, and the programs that grew out of that
collaboration.
"Zero Tolerance and Juvenile Justice: A View from the Bench" by William D. Hitchcock
One of the principal factors that may often precipitate a plunge
into the juvenile justice system is the failure to maintain and succeed
in school. Today there is growing concern that the policies of many
school districts of zero tolerance for firearms in schools or other
student disciplinary infractions place many youth out on the street and
vulnerable to high risk behavior and delinquency. This article describes
the link between educational failure and juvenile crime and the need
for the appropriate response to wrongful behavior by youth.
"StepUp: Helping Kids with Discipline Problems Stay in School" by Barbara Armstrong
This article describes StepUp, a diversion program for expelled or
long-term suspended high school students developed in 2009 by the
Anchorage School District and the Alaska Division of Juvenile Justice.
StepUp provides a highly structured voluntary program that includes
academics, anger management training, physical activities, and community
work service for students who have had serious discipline problems.
Over 80 percent of the 101 students in StepUp from 2009 to 2013 have
continued their education. The program was expanded in 2011 to include
middle school students.
"Juvenile Justice and School Discipline Resources"
A bibliography of publications and other resources on school
discipline in relationship to juvenile justice, with an emphasis on the
"zero tolerance" policies that emerged from the Gun-Free Schools Act of
1994.
"Update on Alaska Victimization Survey Data Releases"
Summaries of estimates of violence against women in Alaska are
available on the Alaska Victimization Survey (AVS) web page. AVS,
launched in 2010, is an ongoing effort to gather reliable and valid
estimates of intimate partner violence and sexual violence against women
in Alaska.
"In Memoriam"
Dr. Lawrence Trostle, a member of the Justice Center faculty from 1990 to 2009, died in May 2013 after an illness. Research publications and papers by Dr. Trostle can be viewed at the Justice Center website.
"Faculty News"
Dr. Brad Myrstol, Justice Center faculty and director of the Alaska
Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC), has been promoted to the
rank of Associate Professor and awarded tenure.
"Retirement"
Alan McKelvie, Senior Research Associate for the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC), has retired.
"Recent Publications"
Recent publications of UAA Justice Center faculty and staff.
