Violence spikes in Chicago high schools

Rosalind Rossi, Mark J. Konkol and Art Golab of the Chicago Sun-Times investigated Chicago's public high schools that are troubled by incidents of violence. "Wells, Hyde Park and Clemente are among eight high schools that each received more than 150 students from the attendance areas of troubled schools now tapped for closure and eventual rebirth." Since they began admitting those students in fall 2004, all eight schools have posted an increase in reported violence that is at least twice as high as the average for similar high schools systemwide. The investigation found the number of reported violent incidents per month climbed from nearly three in the 2003-04 school year to almost 10 last year. When sizable numbers of students come from different neighborhoods and cross gang boundaries, it can be a catalyst for more violence. Across the nation, urban school districts are grappling with trying to fix ailing high schools.