For Immediate Release
Friday, October 31, 2003
Expulsions in the Madison schools dropped for the second straight year, with a 5.7 percent decline. During the 2002-03 school year, 33 students were expelled - just over one-tenth of one percent of the total student enrollment - compared to 35 in the previous school year. The number of students recommended for expulsions during 2002-03 also dropped 17.5 percent, with 80 students recommended for expulsion compared to 97 in the previous school year. The 2002-03 enrollment in Madison schools was 24,965.
Of the 33 students expelled, all were given the opportunity for readmission prior to the expiration of their expulsion term. Nearly 70 percent (23 students, 69.7%) took advantage of this option. To be eligible for early readmission, students must comply with stringent behavior standards set by the school district. This typically requires receiving professional behavior intervention services focusing on the student's inappropriate behavior.
Over 60 percent of the students (20 students) expelled last year were attending high school; the remaining 13 students expelled attended middle schools. The two primary causes for expulsion were possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver (9 students) and possession of a weapon (8 students). Of the eight students expelled for possession of a weapon, or using or threatening to use a weapon, four were for a BB gun pistol, two a pellet gun pistol, one brass knuckles and a hammer. Of the 33 students expelled, these two offenses accounted for 51.5 percent of all expulsions.
It is important to note that during the 2002-03 school year the Board of Education implemented its new policy regarding "knives and other cutting instruments." During the 2001-02 school year, 16 students were expelled for "knife" violations, while only four students were expelled last year for possession of knives or other cutting instruments. This is a 75 percent reduction in knife-related expulsions from 2001-02 to 2002-03.
The majority of the students expelled were males (23 students, 69.7%; females, 10 students, 30.3%).
The accompanying chart provides a 10-year history of MMSD's expulsion experience. "Not expelled" refers to students who were "recommended" for expulsion, but were either in a special education program, or due to the insufficiency of evidence, or other reasons, the student was not expelled.
For more information contact:
Joseph Hill, Expulsion and Truancy Coordinator, 441-9696, or
Joe Quick, 663-1902
Public Information Office
545 W. Dayton St.
Madison, WI 53703
608-663-1879
email: newsrelease@madison.k12.wi.us
Last Modified: 2003-11-18
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