How Safe Are Our Schools?

Abstract

Schools are basically safe places for children. School violence and disruption, although in decline through the mid-to late 1990s, remains a concern. National surveys that inform research, policy, and practice have been designed for different purposes and can present conflicting findings. Common standards of risk and harm that could advance policy and practice are lacking. Progress in the field of school safety has been hindered by the lack of a coherent conceptual structure to guide measurement and research. This article identifies some of the conceptual and methodological challenges that must be addressed and calls for a 10-year national strategic plan to improve school safety.

The quantity and variety across domains of psychological and social assets associated with school victimization.

“…Although young people are victims of serious violent crime less often in school than in other contexts (Mayer & Furlong, 2010), minor victimizations are common in schools. For example, accord-ing to the 2013 United States Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 8.1% of students in grades 9 through 12 reported having been involved in a physical fight on their school campus during the year preceding the survey, and 3.1% reported having been injured (i.e., injuries treated by a doctor or nurse) during these fights (Kann et al, 2014).…”

Sex differences in violent school victimization : using self-control to understand variation in victimization.

“…These victimization rates were 18 crimes per 1,000 for students at school compared to 11 crimes per 1,000 for students away from school (Dinkes et al 2010). Mayer and Furlong (2010) found that the rate of violent victimization in schools was 32 per 1,000 students-a total that is much higher than the Dinkes et ai. (2010) results, demonstrating the variation in measurement and reporting for school victimization.…”

“…Females reported fewer instances of theft and violent victimization (8 per 1,000) away from schools compared to their male classmates (14 per 1,000) (Dinkes et aI., 2010). Mayer and Furlong (2010) found that males (32 per 1000) had a higher victimization rate than females (25 per 1000) in regard to sexual victimization, robbery, assault, and aggravated assault. Females also reported fewer instances of violent altercations and weapons possession while in the school environment (Dinkes et aI., 2010).…”

“…Violent victimization rates away from school dropped from 75 per 1,000 in 1992 to 11 per 1,000 in 2010. Mayer and Furlong (2010) found that while general victimization rates have decreased, they have remained higher in school than outside of school. While these findings are generally positive, victimization is occurring at a higher rate within schools as opposed to away from school (Dinkes et aI., 2010;Mayer & Furlong, 2010).…”

“…Mayer and Furlong (2010) found that while general victimization rates have decreased, they have remained higher in school than outside of school. While these findings are generally positive, victimization is occurring at a higher rate within schools as opposed to away from school (Dinkes et aI., 2010;Mayer & Furlong, 2010). This finding is particularly troublesome for educators, principles, and school staff who are charged with ensuring a safe learning environment for students because it is their responsibility to ensure a safe and orderly learning environment (Bowen & Bowen, 1999;Burrow & Apel, 2008;Farrington & Ttofi, 2009) and it places them in a location that can lead to their own victimization (Dinkes et aI., 2010).…”