NCJ Number
58374
Date Published
1977
Length
24 pages
Annotation
METHODS BY WHICH SCHOOL SECURITY OFFICERS CAN INFLUENCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE TO LEARNING, AS ARTICULATED AT A DESEGREGATION CONFERENCE IN HOUSTON, ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
AS THE NATION'S SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN DESEGREGATING, THE PROBLEMS OF VIOLENCE, VANDALISM, AND DISRUPTION HAVE BECOME MORE SEVERE. A WELL-ORGANIZED SCHOOL SECURITY PROGRAM IS ONE POSSIBLE SOLUTION, PARTICULARLY IF THE PROGRAM GOES BEYOND SHORT-TERM CONTAINMENT MEASURES AND IDENTIFIES ROOT CAUSES OF STUDENT FRUSTRATION WHICH LEAD TO CLASSROOM PROBLEMS. FOR EXAMPLE THE EDUCATIONAL CLIMATE SHOULD BE PEACEFUL, BUT NOT SO RESTRICTED THAT INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM IS CONTAINED. SECURITY OFFICERS SHOULD BE RESPONSIVE TO STUDENT ACTIVITIES, ANTICIPATE THE POTENTIALLY DISRUPTIVE NATURE OF GATHERINGS, AND SERVE AS A PRIMARY RESOURCE OF INFORMATION AND SUGGESTIONS FOR ADMINISTRATORS. UNDERSTANDING OF THE STUDENT'S POINT OF VIEW IS A VITAL STEP TOWARD MAKING THE PROCESS OF DESEGREGATION CALM; IN ADDITION, SECURITY OFFICERS SHOULD BE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE RACIAL AND ETHNIC MAKEUP OF THE STUDENT BODY AND STAFF. THE TEAMWORK CONCEPT SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE CONCERNED PARENT AND COMMUNITY GROUPS BECAUSE COMMUNITY ISSUES AND CONFLICT ARE SOMETIMES MIRRORED IN SCHOOL DISRUPTION. MOST IMPORTANTLY, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND SECURITY DIRECTORS SHOULD PLAN FOR BUILDING SAFETY BY SECURING OUTSIDE DOOR FROM TRESPASSERS AND ASSIGNING PERSONNEL TO AREAS WHICH SERVE AS STUDENT GATHERING POINTS, SUCH AS RESTROOMS. SECOND, THEY SHOULD SET UP ADEQUATE FIRST AID FACILITIES AND PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING INJURIES. THIRD, THEY SHOULD PLAN FOR SMOOTH ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL OF OPERATIONS BY ESTABLISHING A CLEAR CHAIN OF COMMAND FOR USE DURING CRISIS SITUATIONS, AND A SYSTEM FOR SWIFT PARENTAL CONTACT. FINALLY, AN AGREEMENT SHOULD BE MADE WITH LOCAL POLICE REGARDING COORDINATION OF RESPONSE TO SCHOOL DISRUPTION. LISTS OF CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS AND RESOURCES PROVIDED. (LWM)