Indicators Of School Crime & Safety
Any event that causes violence or crime within a school setting affects the individuals involved, as well as those around them and the educational system as a whole. Teachers who experience traumatic crime incidents in school may end up leaving the profession altogether. Students who experience violence and crime in school are more likely to drop out of school, perform poorly academically or experience violent behaviors more often.
Discipline, Safety and Security Measurements
According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, 38,500 schools were surveyed and 46 percent of public schools took at least one disciplinary action against one or more students during the 2007-08 school year. During that period in public schools, roughly 767,900 serious disciplinary actions were taken against students. Disciplinary actions ranged from five or more days of suspension to transfers to specialized schools. Physical attacks were the largest percentage, at 31 percent of surveyed incidents where disciplinary actions were taken; insubordination was next, at 21 percent; drug possession, distributing or selling was recorded at 19 percent; possession of a weapon that was not a firearm or other explosive item was 15 percent; alcohol use or distribution was at 10 percent; and 3 percent of incidents that required disciplinary action were due to the use or possession of firearms or other explosive items.
Incidence of Victimization at School and Away From School
According to the National Center for Education and Statistics, the rate for serious violent crimes in 2008 were lower at school than away from school involving students ages 12 to 18. The rate for serious violent crimes were 4 victims per 1,000 students on school grounds, and 8 victims per 1,000 students occurring off school grounds, in 2008. Many acts of violence and theft occur when students are going to and from school. The rates of theft, crime and violence away from school were lower for younger students ages 12 to 14 than for older students ages 15 to 18. There was no extreme difference between gender regarding theft; however, female rates were lower than for males when violent crimes were surveyed.
Violent and Other Crime Incidents within Public Schools and Crimes Reported to the Police
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, during the 2007-08 school year, 85 percent of public schools recorded that 43 crimes occurred for every 1,000 students enrolled. 62 percent of public schools reported one of the specified crimes to the police. The types of schools where crimes occurred and were reported varied based on certain characteristics. In 2007-08, city schools reported 20 or more violent incidents compared to suburban schools, town schools or rural schools. In that same year, 36 percent of city schools reported 20 or more violent incidents, compared to 24 percent reported at suburban schools, 21 percent reported at town schools and 14 percent reported at rural schools.
Students' Thoughts on Personal Safety at School and Away From School
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, roughly 5 percent of students ages 12 to 18 reported they were afraid of being attacked or harmed at school, compared to 3 percent of students who reported they were afraid of being attacked or harmed off school property. Fear of being attacked at school can cause a student to perform poorly academically or fear going to school altogether. A great percentage of females fear for their safety, compared to male students, and a greater number of public school students fear for their safety compared to private school students. Based on the students surveyed, more students felt threatened with being attacked during school rather than away from school or on their way to and from school.
Discipline, Safety and Security Measurements
According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, 38,500 schools were surveyed and 46 percent of public schools took at least one disciplinary action against one or more students during the 2007-08 school year. During that period in public schools, roughly 767,900 serious disciplinary actions were taken against students. Disciplinary actions ranged from five or more days of suspension to transfers to specialized schools. Physical attacks were the largest percentage, at 31 percent of surveyed incidents where disciplinary actions were taken; insubordination was next, at 21 percent; drug possession, distributing or selling was recorded at 19 percent; possession of a weapon that was not a firearm or other explosive item was 15 percent; alcohol use or distribution was at 10 percent; and 3 percent of incidents that required disciplinary action were due to the use or possession of firearms or other explosive items.
Incidence of Victimization at School and Away From School
According to the National Center for Education and Statistics, the rate for serious violent crimes in 2008 were lower at school than away from school involving students ages 12 to 18. The rate for serious violent crimes were 4 victims per 1,000 students on school grounds, and 8 victims per 1,000 students occurring off school grounds, in 2008. Many acts of violence and theft occur when students are going to and from school. The rates of theft, crime and violence away from school were lower for younger students ages 12 to 14 than for older students ages 15 to 18. There was no extreme difference between gender regarding theft; however, female rates were lower than for males when violent crimes were surveyed.
Violent and Other Crime Incidents within Public Schools and Crimes Reported to the Police
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, during the 2007-08 school year, 85 percent of public schools recorded that 43 crimes occurred for every 1,000 students enrolled. 62 percent of public schools reported one of the specified crimes to the police. The types of schools where crimes occurred and were reported varied based on certain characteristics. In 2007-08, city schools reported 20 or more violent incidents compared to suburban schools, town schools or rural schools. In that same year, 36 percent of city schools reported 20 or more violent incidents, compared to 24 percent reported at suburban schools, 21 percent reported at town schools and 14 percent reported at rural schools.
Students' Thoughts on Personal Safety at School and Away From School
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, roughly 5 percent of students ages 12 to 18 reported they were afraid of being attacked or harmed at school, compared to 3 percent of students who reported they were afraid of being attacked or harmed off school property. Fear of being attacked at school can cause a student to perform poorly academically or fear going to school altogether. A great percentage of females fear for their safety, compared to male students, and a greater number of public school students fear for their safety compared to private school students. Based on the students surveyed, more students felt threatened with being attacked during school rather than away from school or on their way to and from school.
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