Indicators of School Crime and Safety
Additionally, read the US Department of Justice and US Department of Education report, Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2019 Links to an external site.. As you learn in the readings, media reports of school crime tend to create misconceptions of a danger that is actually quite small for the overwhelming majority of school users. In fact, given the number of students, teachers, and other personnel in schools on any given day, it is quite astounding how few violent episodes there are. After reading the report, please address each of the following:
What statistic in the report surprised you about school crime and safety? Please refer to a specific statistic found on the site and cite it properly. Tell us why this statistic surprised you, confirmed your belief, etc.
In 81% of violent, targeted school attacks, at least one person knew someone was conceiving of or planning an attack. In most cases, no one came forward with this information. Why might someone hesitate to come forward?
What are some significant differences between school shootings and mass shootings in the general population (for example, the Colorado movie theatre shooting or the Orlando nightclub shooting)?
Discuss the challenges inherent in preventing mass shootings in schools, the workplace, and the general public. Are there any proven strategies to help control this type of violence?
What ideological differences might interfere with making meaningful criminal justice reform to prevent mass shootings?
What are some other barriers to criminal justice reform?
Sample Solution
One statistic that surprised me about school crime and safety is found on page vi of the Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2019 report, which states that “2.1 percent of students aged 12–18 reported being threatened or injured with a weapon on school property in 2017” (United States Department of Education & United States Department of Justice, 2019). This statistic surprised me because it is significantly lower than I expected it to be; I thought there would be much more violence occurring in schools.
This statistic confirms my belief that most schools are safe environments for children and adolescents. It also highlights how important it is for administrators, teachers, parents, and communities to take precautionary measures to ensure student safety. Schools need to implement policies and procedures that focus on creating positive learning environments where students can feel safe from physical harm as well as emotional harm due to bullying or harassment (Gleason et al., 2021). In addition, providing mental health supports for children who may have experienced trauma outside of the classroom is essential for building a welcoming culture within the school setting (Gleason et al., 2021).
Overall, this statistic has provided me with some reassurance about student safety in our nation’s schools; however, there is still much work left to do in order to reduce violence even further. To decrease rates of violence even more effectively requires a comprehensive approach involving multiple stakeholders such as educators, law enforcement officers, community members and advocates (Kahne & Westheimer 2004). By taking an evidence-based approach focused on prevention rather than reaction after an incident has occurred will help promote safer schools nationwide.
