Scapegoating for Columbine: Collateral Damage in the War on School Violence

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 194 pages
• Published by: iUniverse, Inc. February 1, 2007
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0595406149
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0595406142
• Book Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Weighs: 7.2 ounces

Product Description


Since the 1999 Columbine tragedy, when two boys who were bullied committed the worst school shooting in U.S. history, numerous schools have implemented anti-bullying programs with uneven success. Others have used zero-tolerance discipline, resulting in children being suspended, expelled, and arrested for increasingly ridiculous reasons.

The Benson family of Colorado thinks it’s time for a return to common-sense discipline. Author Louise Benson describes the family’s ordeal with their son’s persecution by Christian bullies in a Boulder County public charter school. She recounts the expulsion and bizarre felony charges pursued by the school and the police when the boy confided to a counselor thoughts of killing himself and the bullies. A year later, another persecuted student attempted suicide, and others came forward about religious and racial intolorance at the charter school.

How could this happen in liberal Boulder? The answer, revealed in Dr. Benson’s fight for reform, is a mix of Colorado’s red/blue politics and bureaucratic defensiveness. She also shows that many anti-bullying programs are outdated, and warns that charter schools may contribute to resegregation and intolerance. A national reappraisal of zero tolerance, which is supported by extensive research, is the goal of Scapegoating for Columbine: Collateral Damage in the War on School Violence.

About The Author
Dr. Louise Benson lives in the Boulder, Colorado, area. After previous careers as a letter carrier and nurse, she became a doctor and is an active volunteer in her community.

Reader Reviews
Dr. Benson really hits the nail on the head here, discussing why post-Columbine/VA Tech "zero tolerance" policies are only hurting the academic careers of good students over minor infractions (kids can be expelled over false accusations, even when no proof exists, and suspended for "offenses" that would've been considered laughable 15 years ago) while the REAL problem kids go unnoticed, often leading to tragedy. This has been going on for years, and it's nice to see someone finally addressing the issue and why our schools need a serious policy revamp in dealing w/such matters. And to the 1-star reviewer who's actually a board member of the charter school her son (one such victim) got booted from, can't you do any better than to question her character and motive for speaking out? Why not try and directly refute the book's content? But I guess if you can't do that, personal attacks are the only way to go... Comment (1) | | (Report this)