PORTLAND, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Education has put 11 middle schools and high schools on safety watch because of concerns with expulsion rates.
Two of the schools on the list were part of 13 schools on safety watch last year. Each of the schools on the current list have expelled more than 1 percent of students for committing a crime or violent act, or carrying a weapon during the 2007-2008 school year.
Some officials believe that labeling the schools is not very helpful. On the contrary, some of the schools on the watch list may be the safest schools in the state because staff and students are more likely to report problems.
As for the 11 other schools that were on the list last year, they were removed due to a decrease in crime and violence rates.
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