Self-defense in Texas.

For years, a fight was a fight in schools, and every student involved was guilty. But a new Texas law requires school districts to determine if students can claim self-defense and to include that policy in student conduct guidelines for this school year. Some districts, such as Dallas, say self-defense is not an excuse, and they won't change their policy.

But McKenney school officials say administrators will consider student explanations of self-defense when it comes to a fight or assault cases. McKinney administrators who find self-defense pleas acceptable would determine a student's fate based on the facts of the case, according to Ted Moore, deputy superintendent of McKinney schools.

McKinney defines self-defense as "using force against another when ... a person reasonably believes it is immediately necessary to protect himself or herself." The student claiming self-defense might receive a lesser punishment or no punishment.

The percentage of students being victimized at school has declined in the last few years. Between 1995 and 2001, the percentage of students who reported being victims of crime decreased from 1 8% to 6%. However, the prevalence of other problem behavior at school has increased. For example, in 2001, 8% of students reported being bullied, up from 5% in 1999.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, nces.ed.gov