NCJ Number
54483
Date Published
1978
Length
227 pages
Annotation
A PROGRAM MODEL DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS IS PRESENTED TO AID IN DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM OF VANDALISM IN SCHOOLS.
Abstract
THE MODEL REPRESENTS AN ATTEMPT TO DESCRIBE THE PROCESS OF IDENTIFYING THE EXTENT OF THE VANDALISM PROBLEM IN SCHOOLS; SELECTING AN APPROPRIATE SET OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROGRAMMATIC STRATEGIES TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM; INVOLVING STUDENTS, TEACHERS, SUPPORT PERSONNEL, AND THE COMMUNITY IN IMPLEMENTING STRATEGIES; AND APPRAISING WHETHER THE EFFECTS OF A VANDALISM PREVENTION PROGRAM ARE WORTH FISCAL AND HUMAN COSTS. SCHOOL VANDALISM IS EXAMINED IN RELATION TO WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT IT (INCIDENCE, LOCATION, TYPES, CATEGORIES OF SCHOOLS, AND RELATION TO OTHER ASPECTS OF SCHOOL LIFE SUCH AS CLIMATE AND DISCIPLINE). MAJOR OPTIONS FOR DEALING WITH SCHOOL VANDALISM ARE DISCUSSED: (1) ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS--BUILDING SECURITY, TARGET HARDENING, AND ARCHITECTURAL CHANGES; (2) BEHAVIORAL PROGRAMS--OFFENDER ACCOUNTABILITY, BEHAVIORAL CHANGE IN STUDENTS, AND HUMAN RELATIONS; AND (3) SYSTEM PROGRAMS--COMMUNITY RELATIONS, INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE, AND CURRICULUM INNOVATION. CASE STUDIES OF SIX PUBLIC SCHOOL VANDALISM PROGRAMS IN FRESNO COUNTY, CALIF.; FLINT, MICH.; MADISON, WIS.; DALLAS, TEX,; ALEXANDRIA, VA.; AND ESCAMBRIA, FLA., ARE PROVIDED. A FRAMEWORK FOR A MODEL SCHOOL VANDALISM PREVENTION PROGRAM IS OUTLINED. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED, AND FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE RESEARCH DESIGN AND ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA, A LIST OF ADVISORY PANEL MEMBERS, AND A GUIDE TO RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THOSE WANTING TO REDUCE VANDALISM ARE CONTAINED IN APPENDIXES. (DEP)