NCJ Number
190267
Date Published
2000
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This report of California's Safe Schools Task Force presents strategies and recommendations for improving school safety in California.
Abstract
In February 1999, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Attorney General formed the Safe Schools Task Force to further combat crime in California's schools and create a more powerful partnership between schools and law enforcement to keep schools safe and free from violence. The 23-member Task Force -- representing education, law enforcement, community groups, and youth -- was asked to identify model strategies and programs for improving school safety, determine current needs, and make recommendations to strengthen partnerships between schools and law enforcement to enhance school safety strategies. The recommendations in this report are intended to be a guide for the advocation and implementation of programs and approaches that will improve the safety of school campuses. The recommendations feature three overall goals: to develop strategies to prevent behavior problems from escalating into violence and to inspire youth with education, school, and community service activities; to ensure that California schools are prepared for a crisis and to prevent that crisis from turning into a catastrophe; and to develop and strengthen partnerships between schools, school communities, and law enforcement to ensure campus and community safety. This report promotes building positive relationships between teachers and students and among students; expanding safe school planning efforts; increasing the presence of law enforcement on school campuses and integrating community-oriented policing and problem solving strategies with school communities; strengthening the capacity of the School/Law Enforcement Partnership Program; promoting positive youth development; establishing strong accountability measures; using research-based practices and model programs; and increasing professional development training of educators and school staff to include school safety skills. Appended summary of current efforts, an overview of what the State is doing to keep schools safe, a history of school/law enforcement partnerships, and safe schools grant programs