Inquirer Editorial: Lessons in violence

The Philadelphia School District has seen more than its share of plans to fix an ailing system. Too many have produced disappointing results.

Let's hope the latest plan to address school violence contains more than fancy buzzwords and actually produces real results.

The plan, unveiled last week, would target 46 problem-plagued and perpetually dangerous city schools. It is a much-needed attempt to change the climate in schools where troublemakers have been allowed to run amok.

The "Focus 46" plan has some shortcomings and may need fine-tuning. Some critics want a bolder approach that targets troubled students and their families.

Nevertheless, the plan provides a chance for the district to send a strong message that violence will not be tolerated.

Violence is a daily problem at many city schools and undermines broader efforts to improve learning. Dozens of criminal offenses - some involving guns, knives, and sexual attacks - take place throughout the district every day. That's inexcusable.

A disproportionate number of the district's violent incidents occur at the 46 targeted schools. Nearly half of the schools are on the state's list of persistently dangerous schools.

Putting more attention and resources at those schools to crack down on violence, disciplinary problems, and truants makes sense. That must include better monitoring and reporting - which means that principals and teachers must give an honest account of incidents at their schools.

The plan calls for new anti-bullying programs and campaigns at some schools. It also would take a more proactive approach by trying to prevent violence, rather than simply responding to incidents.

Each school has until Nov. 1 to submit a plan to address the safety and discipline problems. It will take follow-up and accountability to make the plan effective.

The efforts should not stop at the 46 most violent schools. A more comprehensive plan to stamp out violence at every district school is needed to signal that the safety of all 267,000 students enrolled in the system is a top priority.

Fixing the violence problem may provide solutions to other problems, such as the recent racial tension that has flared up between black students and their Asian immigrant classmates.

Assaults on Asians at South Philadelphia High and Bok High have racial overtones. But at the root of the attacks is the entrenched violence problem that runs rampant in the district.

A list of task force recommendations presented to the School Reform Commission suggests ways the district can promote racial tolerance. That would help combat the bigger problem.

Deputy superintendent Leroy Nunery calls the security plan a "new day" for the district. Let's hope it is not more of the same.