What do you think about all these 'school shootings' in our public schools?

I think the schools need to address this issue. There's a lot of bullying and outcasting that goes on and either the faculty doesn't see it, or they turn a blind eye to it. I think kids need to be taught that driving someone over the edge through bullying is dangerous. These kids will get their hands on guns or other weapons (there have even been cases of violence using pencils, repeated stabbing with a pen or pencil in the wrong places can inflict debilitating injuries). Perhaps it is invasion of privacy, but it might be a good idea to put in listening devices and have a computer record it, and I by NO means condone this in any other environment. The listening devices' recorded data should be stored, but not listened to (let's face it, who's going to go through all those hours of audio?). When a student makes a complaint that a certain individual is bullying him or her, the school can then go back, and given the time period, listen in on it. This can even be applied to rumor spreading. For example, if a student complains that someone may have spread a malicious rumor about them, the audio evidence can be used to track who started it, and discipline those persons. If the claim is true, that student should be suspended immediately. While many people say zero tolerance rules are harsh, they do work. This gives the victim of bullying leverage, so that instead of having to resort to violence. they can get those persons suspended.

There is also a separate special case where the culture of the student makes him or her prone to violence in schools. In this case, the school must supply a competent individual who knows the student's culture and psychology (yes, the psychology of a student will vary depending on race and culture) inside out, especially how the families work. This will allow them to provide an environment where those kids do not feel uncomfortable. It is often the case also, that the counselors do not know how to deal with a student who is an outcast because they have never been one themselves. This makes these individuals very difficult to understand. What needs to be understood is that these people have good intentions, and others' lack of understanding turns them into monsters. It is unquestionably society's fault, all of our faults, that such incidents occur. We can only strive to understand and shed these kids in a GOOD light, for their hearts were good, but their environment turned them bad. Whether or not we knew them or their victims or if we were a victim ourselves, owe them all our apologies for not listening and understanding.

If I am correct, most of these shootings are being carried out by kids with problems such as low self-esteem. They cannot tolerate being picked on or called names so they "get back" at the kids by shooting them. I think parents should pay more attentin to their kids today. Teachers should have the authority they did years ago also. They are totally limited now in what they can say and do. They see things that are going on but they cannot say anything to the parents for fear of the parents suing them or telling them to mind their own business. These kids should be taught at home the "sticks and stones may break my bones" addage. God, I wasn't popular in school. I wasn't chosen for games, etc. I wasn't fashion conscious and got picked on but I didn't go out and shoot the school up. I dealt with it. I also didn't spend all my time watching violent video games where killing is the answer to everything. These kids are a product of their environment and their upbringing by parents who are working and using the TV, video games, etc as babysitters.

Have you noticed the areas where these shootings are taking place? Not in the inner city much at all. Suburbs with well to do people.

No idea what's gotten into kids these days! Must be video games, media, some sort of sickness, or family issues. The violence is probably a cause of personal problems such as bullying or depression.

All schools should be closed and classes held in the park.That would put a stop to kids getting shot at the school.

School system needs to address troubled kids and not treat them like outcasts. They need to control bullies too. It's a hard time growing up in life and they need support.

ya, i agree.... 2 years ago my school was shot up, and i was one of the people that got shot.... nothin serious, just in my right wrist, and it wasn't a full bullet, it was a fragment... but still it hurt. a kid shot through the window, the cops told me it was a good thing i was sitting down, caz if i was standing up, i would have been shot in the head. :(

but they caught the kid that shot up my school, he is in jail, and luckly no 1 was killed... only 2 people hurt... me and a girl next to me, she got a couple bullet fragments in her neck. OUCH!

but school's should have bullet proof windows and secerity guards... or like medel detectors.

I approve. Don't mope and whine, take care of your problems in a decisive way.

that concerns me greatly.