Pubdate: Wed, 22 Sep 1999
Source: Reuters
Copyright: 1999 Reuters Limited.
Author: Leslie Gevirtz

DOLE SAYS DRUG-TEST STUDENTS, SEARCH BACKPACKS

MELROSE, Mass. - Republican presidential candidate Elizabeth
Dole Wednesday called for searches of students' lockers and backpacks
with parental approval as part of her education proposals.

``To keep our kids safe and make our schools drug-free, I support
parent-approved locker and backpack searches and drug testing. For
drugs and weapons, I say there will be no place to hide,'' Dole told a
group of selected honor students at Melrose High School where she once
was a student teacher.

Her proposals, which include a $1,000 federal tax credit for those who
donate funds to educational foundations and raising contribution
limits for education savings accounts to $3,000 a year, also called
for pay-for-performance for teachers.

As with Republican front-runner Texas Gov. George Bush, Dole also
called for ``clearly stated measurable goals in student achievement''
set by local governments. In return, Dole, who is running a distant
second in the polls in New Hampshire, would increase federal
school-funding while decreasing federal red tape.

Earlier this month Bush said he would reallocate federal funds, but
not necessarily increase them.

The federal government contributes about seven cents of every dollar
spent in public education. Education is a big issue in the polls as
well as in New Hampshire, the first-in-the-nation presidential primary
state, and Massachusetts, home to numerous colleges and
universities.

Dole's call for searches of lockers and backpacks came after a series
of massacres at schools across the United States.

``For example, if a kid brings a gun in the school, those 14 years and
older should be tried as an adult,'' the former Red Cross president
told reporters. ``I think it's very important that if we're going to
make the progress we desperately need now to have zero-tolerance
policy for discipline.''

During the 1996-97 academic year, some 6,093 students were expelled
for bringing a firearm to school, according to the U.S. Department of
Education. Yet only 13 of those cases were prosecuted, according to
the National Rifle Association, a pro-gun lobby.

Dole's search suggestions were not generally well-received. One senior
who ``sneaked into'' the auditorium said she did not like the search
idea.

``I'm definitely against it,'' said Emily Taffe, a self-described
trouble maker. ``We're in school, not prison... I'll let them search
my school bags and locker if they're going to let us go through their
desks and ransack their stuff.''

John Roberts, executive director of the American Civil Liberties
Union, was ``disappointed'' by Dole's remarks, saying, ''If parents
want to search their kids before they go to school or when they come
home, that's fine. But parents can't give away their kids' (civil)
rights... Rights extend to students and schools have to be
particularly careful in this area.

``What they do is what they teach and students expect to be treated
fairly,'' he said.
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