JUNIOR ROTC PROGRAM DISCUSSED

DEXTER -- Public school officials say one of the biggest problems facing educators today is discipline in the classroom. With the advent of tragedies that have happened in America's schools over the past few years, legislators are looking for new approaches to deal with the problem.

State Sen. Jerry Howard is proposing a bill that would require the Missouri National Guard to establish a pilot program creating a military-style education in public schools. This program would be similar to the National Guard's Junior ROTC program and ROTC program. This program would start at about the fifth grade and cointinue to the ninth grade.

"Kids are under a lot more pressure today than they were even 10 years ago," said Howard. "The information age has created a lot more for kids to learn. Many kids get left behind, so the need arises for more discipline."

The program would start out when a child turns 11; he could be accepted in a number of ways by volunteering or by recommendation of a juvenile program or other state agency.

The three elements of ROTC include those found in a sound family, according to Howard. Those include discipline, camaraderie and responsibility. Each element is tied to the other. The student is part of something that does something, thus developing responsibility. In order to do things together, you have to do your part.

"When you are all doing something together, the camaraderie is built. Then, you begin to appreciate taking responsibility and leaders are formed," said Howard.

"We are not trying to build a military system; we are just trying to establish a way to help these children in elementary school become better citizens," Howard explained.

The Missouri National Guard already has a boot camp-style program for students who become a repeatedly turn up in the juvenile system. This program would help them before they reach that point.