Various studies suggest that school-age kids may be more stressed out than ever, leading to more problems requiring discipline.

Unlike the playful kindergartens of generations past, 5-year-olds today are expected to read one-syllable words, compare information in texts, even follow maps - activities that can be daunting.

Workers at Beech Acres, a family support agency in Anderson Township, say they see evidence of aggressive behavior every day. Clinical coordinator Carolyn Brinkmann describes 5-year-olds cursing, stabbing other students with pencils and hitting them, repeatedly running out of the classroom or into the street and throwing objects at teachers.

"I don't feel removal from a classroom has ever been inappropriate for the children we receive," Brinkmann says. Her group educates and counsels troubled children who don't do well in regular classrooms.

Authorities at Cincinnati Children's Hospital cite an increase in referrals of younger children with severe behavioral or emotional problems, ranging from aggressiveness to suicidal tendencies.

Children's has the nation's busiest pediatric emergency room for child psychiatry services, and last year treated 3,871 children ages 6 months to 18 years old. The hospital predicts more than 4,000 visits this year. In 1999-2000, the number was 1,379.

Michael Sorter, associate professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at Children's, says kindergarten students with extreme behavioral problems often don't make the connection between suspensions and their own misbehavior. He says many schools lack counselors and psychologists and aren't equipped to deal with behavior problems.

"We ask public schools to do a lot," Sorter says. "We want them to provide the best education but, at the same time, we are also asking them to maintain children who are difficult to handle.

"My sense is most schools try very hard and want to do a good job. But a lot of times, they struggle to have the full amount of resources they need."

Jennifer Mrozowski