Is his art a warning sign?

The child who likes to sketch hissing bombs in the margins of his notebook may not be plotting an actual attack, but according to a recent report by the First Amendment Center, "Student Expression in the Age of Columbine," teachers should not treat such disturbing imagery lightly. "Art teachers and English teachers are often in the best position to recognize early warning signs of potential violence as students who are troubled may communicate these 'red flags' in their drawings and writings," says Ken Trump, president of National School Safety and Security Services. The best course? Give students the freedom to express themselves, while remaining alert and ready to discuss anything that raises an alarm.

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