NCJ Number
217920
Journal
Journal of School Violence Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: 2006 Pages: 53-72
Date Published
2006
Length
20 pages
Annotation
Using data from a sample of law enforcement officers and school principals from Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio, this study describes a new method in measuring the prevalence of gangs in schools.
Abstract
Based on the findings, it is suggested that triangulating responses from law enforcement and principals regarding the prevalence of gangs in schools is preferred over methods that examine the perspectives of one or the other of these groups. The findings highlight the importance of communication between police and school administrators. It also implies the need to provide training to school administrators to identify gang members. This research reinforces the position that school administrators need to realize the value and importance of admitting problem behavior at schools. In the past, juvenile gang researchers have focused primarily on the characteristics of gangs and the prevalence of gangs in communities and schools. One of the greatest limitations of this research, however, surrounds the lack of agreement on the definition of a gang and, consequently, the prevalence of gangs in the community and in schools. Using data from a sample of over 1,200 law enforcement officers and school principals from Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio, this study developed a research strategy, response triangulation in order to define a gang and estimate the prevalence of gangs in schools. References