There have been several recent publicized incidents of fighting in D.C. Public Schools. But Chancellor Michelle Rhee says violence has actually decreased in the past year.
Rhee says, because of media coverage, there's a perception in the community of increased violence in public schools. But she says there's actually been what she calls a "very, very significant decrease."
Rhee says, when school began in September, there was an uptick in incidents, but she says because of consistently enforced consequences, within three months those had leveled off and decreased.
The latest data from DCPS compares August 2007 through January 2008 and the same months the following year. There have been 82 fewer serious incidents, which translates into a decrease of 10 percent. Serious incidents include assaults, drugs, fires and fights.
Kavitha Cardoza reports...
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