NCJ Number
49758
Editor(s)
R J RUBEL
Date Published
1978
Length
64 pages
Annotation
THIS COLLECTION OF FOUR PAPERS DEALING WITH VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE WITH RESPECT TO ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF VIOLENCE-RELATED PROBLEMS FACED BY SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS.
Abstract
THE FIRST PAPER IN THE VOLUME PRESENTS A DISCUSSION OF THE HISTORY OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS FROM 1950 TO 1975. IT DEALS WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC OPINION AND THE GROWTH OF PUBLIC CONCERN ABOUT THE INCREASING PROBLEM. SPECIFIC CRIMES, INCLUDING ASSAULTS ON TEACHERS, FIRES, AND VANDALISM, ARE ANALYZED, INDIVIDUALLY. NATIONAL STATISTICS ON THE COST OF CRIME IN THE SCHOOLS ARE PRESENTED. THE AUTHOR THEN PRESENTS HIS VIEWS ABOUT THE FUTURE IMPLICATIONS OF THE PROBLEM FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND SCHOOL SECURITY OFFICES. THE SECOND WORK TAKES THE ISSUE OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR IN SCHOOLS FURTHER, WITH AN ANALYSIS OF MANY PROBLEMS THAT FREQUENTLY CONFUSE THE ANALYSIS OF THIS FIELD. FACTORS CONSIDERED INCLUDE POPULATION TRENDS, THE DEVELOPMENT OF COST DATA, NONUNIFORM DEFINITIONS, AND CONTROLLING FOR DOLLAR-VALUE VARIABLES. THE NEXT ARTICLE PRESENTS A SUMMARY OF THE NEWEST FINDINGS FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE'S SAFE SCHOOL STUDY, WITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION PAID TO THE IMPLICATIONS OF THAT WORK. IT DISCUSSES THE INCIDENCE OF THEFTS, ASSAULTS, AND VANDALISM, AS WELL AS THE COSTS OF THESE CRIMES. A PROFILE OF A 'SAFE SCHOOL' IS ALSO PRESENTED. THE FINAL ARTICLE IN THE COLLECTION DISCUSSES THE DILEMMA OF EDUCATORS WHO MUST CONCERN THEMSELVES WITH THE INEVITABILITY THAT SOME KIND OF VIOLENCE WILL OCCUR IN A SCHOOL. SUGGESTIONS ARE PRESENTED FOR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS TO USE IN PLANNING FOR VIOLENCE. INDICATORS OF POTENTIAL VIOLENCE ARE OUTLINED, ALONG WITH WAYS TO MAKE THE SCHOOL MORE SECURE AND INSURE THE PROTECTION OF BOTH PEOPLE AND PROPERTY, POSSIBLE SECURITY SOURCES, AND STEPS TO TAKE IN PREPARING A WRITTEN SET OF PROCEDURES TO BE IMPLEMENTED DURING A CRISIS. (VDA)