PAUL JOHNSON'S PLAN FOR SAFE SCHOOLS

By Paul Johnson

Nothing is more important to the future of Arizona than our children. Unfortunately, for too long our elected leaders have neglected to protect our children from violence and ensure they receive the highest quality education possible.

• A 1998 Children Right's Council (CRC) report ranked Arizona the second worst state in the country to raise a child.
• A 1998 U.S. Census Bureau study found that Arizona had the second-highest school dropout rate among 16-19 year-olds.

• Mandatory school uniforms
• A statewide "Code of Conduct" for students
• Alternative schools for disruptive students
• A "Daytime Curfew" to cut down on truancy
• Smaller class sizes

The Paul Johnson plan will establish appropriate standards for dress (including the elimination of "gang clothing"), as well as empower schools to implement uniforms. The state will provide those schools with immunity from lawsuits, as well as funding to assist those students who cannot afford uniforms.

STATEWIDE "CODE OF CONDUCT" FOR STUDENTS - With the influx of violence by children both in the schools as well as after-school on the streets, steps should be taken to empower teachers and school officials to regain control of their classrooms.

That is why Paul Johnson is proposing a Statewide "Code of Conduct" for students

Project H.O.P.E. will address this issue by:

• Establishing a Governor's Committee on Higher Academic Standards to develop the Code of Conduct.
• Encouraging schools to form "Student Review Committees," comprised of students, to review minor infractions that do not result in suspension or expulsion. The results of this committee may be appealed to a "Board of Conduct." The Board of Conduct shall consist of three teachers selected by their peers, the principal, and one parent selected from the Parent/Teachers Organization (or comparable group). This board shall review all appeals and serious violations of the Code through a hearing process. If a student is found in violation of the Code, the mandatory sanctions provided by the Governor's Board of Higher Academic Standards must be enforced. A Board of Conduct decision is final and cannot be appealed to the district board. An interpretation of the Board of Higher Academic Standards may be requested and shall be acted upon by the Board.

DAYTIME CURFEW - Paul Johnson understands that if we see a child "hanging out" at a mall, convenience store, or someplace else without parental supervision during school hours, that child is not supposed to be there. That is why his plan would institute a "daytime curfew" as a truancy enforcement program. Any student found to be out of school without parental consent during certain daytime hours will be forced to perform community service. In the event of a second infraction, the child's parents will be forced to perform the community service with him/her.

REDUCING CLASS SIZE - In February, 1998, the Arizona Education Association (AEA) conducted a study to determine the student/teacher ratio in Arizona public classrooms. Their conclusions were drastically different from those of the state.

According to the state Department of Education, Arizona schools have a 19:1 adult to student ratio. They do not explain, however, that this figure includes not only teachers, but also all certified personnel assigned to students at that school.

The AEA study determined that Arizona schools have an actual teacher to student ratio of between 25 and 27 to 1. This gives Arizona schools the dubious distinction of having the fifth highest pupil to teacher ratio in the nation.

Overcrowded classrooms magnify the problems of instruction and class management. This is compounded when special-needs students such as those with disabilities, or those not fluent in English, are taken into account. Studies show that when classes are small, these children perform much better.

The Tennessee STAR study also shows that the disparity of test scores between wealthy and poor school districts equalized when class sizes fell below 17 children per class in Kindergarten through third grade.

The Paul Johnson plan will attack this problem by:

• Providing $100 million immediately towards reducing class size in grades K-3. This money will be offered as an incentive program in the form of matching grants for local school districts.
• Establishing a state policy that dictates all new capital expenditures in public schools should be made with an eye towards a goal of no more than 20 students per class.
• Providing ongoing training for teachers to become better prepared for smaller class sizes.