Illinois House lawmakers are looking at an increase in school violence.
At the latest hearing of the House Public Safety and Violence Prevention Task Force, legislators heard from teacher’s groups about the growing number of severe student behavioral problems. Shianne Shively with the Illinois Education Association read testimonials from educators about being kicked, bitten, screamed at and threatened by students.
“Last week a student made threats to a teacher and said he is conducting a survey with other students to figure out which teacher he should kill. A co-workers reported this incident to the principal and other management of the district. Nothing has been done and the student is back in class.”
With comments about a lack of qualified social workers in schools to help with troubled students State Representative Lashawn Ford of Chicago offered this idea.
“One of the things that I was thinking is that we need to have a dual degree in Illinois where teachers can get their BS’s as well as a social workers degree. I don’t know what teachers think about it. They don’t have to take it but I think it might be a good idea since there are a shortage of social workers in our schools.”
Teachers groups say they are looking for more support from school administrators, consequences for violent behavior, mental health support and social workers on staff.
