Durham Students flunking conduct

Denlinger: Proper behavior is a must to cut suspensions

BY MICHAEL PETROCELLI mpetrocelli@heraldsun.com; 419-6617

If they're going to reduce the number of times a student is sent home for bad behavior, schools have to do a better job of teaching kids what behavior is considered bad, Superintendent Ann Denlinger told educators and local officials Wednesday morning.

Just as many students arrive at school unprepared for grade level work, many also arrive unaware of what is acceptable schoolhouse conduct, Denlinger said. Schools that successfully lower their suspension rates also spend time positively explaining how students should act, she said.

"Don't assume that they know," Denlinger said.

Her remarks came a day after the school system released figures showing short-term suspensions were up nearly 16 percent last year. More than one in five middle and high school students were suspended at least once, although suspensions slowed in the spring semester after spiking last fall, the figures revealed.

While saying that she and other school leaders take responsibility for the suspension rates, Denlinger emphasized that the schools can't quell the disruptive behavior that leads to suspensions on their own.

"To really solve this, it's got to involve the community," she said in response to a question posed during a panel discussion on collaboration among N.C. Central University, Duke University and the Durham Public Schools. The collaborative effort is aimed at bolstering education in Durham's poorer neighborhoods.

NCCU Chancellor James H. Ammons and Duke Senior Vice President John Burness also spoke at the NCCU/Duke Community Breakfast, held early Wednesday at the Lyon Park Community Center. The universities, aided by grant money, have been working together to provide tutoring and other services to area families.

Beverly Washington Jones, dean of NCCU's University College, said one of the university's programs, a Saturday academy for elementary and middle school-age children, has shown dramatic results.

Of 400 students who participated in the program during the last school year, 85 percent improved from below grade level to at or above grade level on state exams, she said.

In addition to academic help, the program also includes self-esteem building and character development components aimed at preparing students for life after school, she said.

Jones said NCCU also has secured additional grant funding from the N.C. Department of Public Instruction to expand a faith-based after-school initiative it launched with Duke last year. NCCU plans to use the money to set up programs in three new churches to provide tutoring to low-income students who are performing below grade level on state tests.

In January, Duke and NCCU opened their 21st Century Community Learning Centers at Northside Baptist Church near Duke and Fisher Memorial United Holy Church near NCCU.

The student participants, who are enrolled in the program through their schools, receive academic help from student volunteers and trained teachers.

MEETING

The Durham school board is scheduled to discuss suspensions at its meeting tonight. The meeting is set to begin at 6:30 at the school system's central offices, 511 Cleveland St.

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