NCJ Number
150229
Date Published
1994
Length
37 pages
Annotation
The U.S. Department of Education's Safe Schools Grants Program is designed to help local school systems provide a school environment that is safe, free of violence, and conducive to learning.
Abstract
Local educational agencies (LEA's) are eligible for grant funds if they show a significant need to prevent or eliminate violence and school crime. An LEA must demonstrate in its application that it serves an area with high rates of homicides committed by persons between 5 and 18 years of age, youth referrals to juvenile courts, youth under court supervision, student expulsions and suspensions, youth referrals to alternative schools, youth victimization, and school discipline problems. Grants generally range from $300,000 to $1 million; no grant can exceed $3 million. An LEA must use grant funds for one or more of the following activities: identify and assess school violence and discipline problems; plan for comprehensive, long-term strategies that prevent school violence and discipline problems; train school personnel in how to deal with violence; involve parents in school safety and violence prevention activities; conduct community education programs; develop conflict resolution and social skills for students, teachers and other school personnel, and parents; involve students in such activities as peer mediation, peer counseling, and student courts; implement innovative violence prevention curricula; provide counseling for victims and witnesses of school violence and crime; and install metal detectors and hire security personnel. Application procedures for LEA's are detailed, and application forms are included.