School Safety: Who Fits the Profile? - February 1, 2001

In response to recent violence on high school campuses, two federal law enforcement agencies are promoting "behavioral profiling" software which allows school administrators to profile students perceived to be troubled. The software assigns "risk ratings" to students so that school personnel can intervene before violence occurs. Does this type of profiling threaten the civil liberties of our students and further alienate them from adults? How can we keep schools safe without compromising student rights?