SCHOOL SAFETY

Most schools in outstate Missouri have been fortunate enough to avoid the violence that plagues many urban schools. But drugs have infiltrated even the most rural schools, and discipline is a problem that many teachers battle every day.

Government's answer to most every problem is money. Lots of it. Such is the case with the Safe Schools Act, which will pump millions of dollars into Missouri's schools.

Some of the offerings are worthwhile, such as the alternative school programs. This program takes disruptive students out of the regular classroom and allows more of a one-on-one learning environment. It also helps keep potential dropouts in school. Cape Girardeau's program has done well in its early stages.

About $10 million was allocated to pay for the Safe Schools Act this year. Of that, $8 million is earmarked for programs like peer tutoring and alternative school programs, with the remaining $2 million targeted to equipment needs.

More than 65 schools received grants for alternative school programs. Sikeston's school district received a $187,834 grant to provide alternative programming for its students as well as Bell City and Scott County Central.

A number of area schools also received Safe School equipment grants this year including Caruthersville ($9,075) and Sikeston ($75,000).

The act also allows for tougher punishments of students who are charged with assaults or drug possession on school grounds.

But these are only a few components of a long and complex piece of legislation. The full impact of this act on schools may not be known for many months. Already, many school officials are confounded by the fact that the law requires any fight on school grounds to be reported to local law officials. That would apply to fights between 6-year-olds and 17-year-olds alike.

Metal detectors are becoming commonplace at many Missouri schools, and surveillance cameras are becoming fairly common on school buses in Missouri and Kansas.

All these programs and funding may help to make Missouri school safer, but ultimately the responsibility rests not with the schools or legislators, but with the parents. Millions of dollars funneled into the schools won't get to the root of the problem: lax discipline at home. A child's unruly behavior starts -- and ultimately must stop -- at home.