NCJ Number
68092
Journal
Public Interest Issue: 58 Dated: (WINTER 1980) Pages: 18-42
Date Published
1980
Length
25 pages
Annotation
THIS JOURNAL ARTICLE INTERPRETS THE FINDINGS OF A 1978 REPORT ON PUBLIC SCHOOL CRIME, PRESENTS THE SOCIAL AND HISTORICAL CAUSES OF SCHOOL CRIME, AND MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REDUCING FUTURE CRIME.
Abstract
THE ARTICLE PRESENTS THE FINDINGS REPORTED IN 'VIOLENT SCHOOLS--SAFE SCHOOLS,' A STUDY BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT AND SERIOUSNESS OF PUBLIC SCHOOL CRIME. THE STUDY FOUND THAT SCHOOLS ARE PLAGUED WITH REAL CRIME (ROBBERIES AND ASSAULTS OF BOTH STUDENTS AND TEACHERS). IN ADDITION THE STUDY FOUND THAT THE NOTION THAT INTRUDERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SCHOOL CRIME IS A MYTH; THAT VIOLENCE IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR OUTSIDE CLASSES AND IN UNSUPERVISED AREAS (HALLWAYS AND STAIRS, TOILETS, CAFETERIAS, AND LOCKERS); AND THAT YOUNGER STUDENTS AND THE LEAST EXPERIENCED TEACHERS ARE THE MOST LIKELY VICTIMS. A STRONG RELATIONSHIP EXISTS BETWEEN LAXNESS IN ENFORCING SCHOOL RULES AND THE RATE OF VIOLENT CRIME; AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REDUCING CRIME, WHICH WERE OBTAINED FROM PRINCIPALS, TEACHERS, AND STUDENTS, GAVE HIGH PRIORITY TO DISCIPLINE AND SUPERVISION. SEVERAL SOCIAL AND HISTORICAL TRENDS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE LOSS OF SCHOOL DISCIPLINE ARE IDENTIFIED. THESE INCLUDE THE ALIENATION OF STUDENT SUBCULTURES IN LARGE SCHOOLS, PRESSURE TO KEEP CHILDREN IN SCHOOL LONGER, LESS AUTOCRACY IN SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION, AND THE EROSION OF TEACHER AUTHORITY. AMONG THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REDUCING FUTURE CRIME ARE NEIGHBORHOOD INVOLVEMENT, THE EXPULSION OF VIOLENT STUDENTS, AND REWARDS FOR GOOD STUDENT BEHAVIOR. FOUR TABLES OF DATA FROM THE ORIGINAL REPORT ARE INCLUDED. FOR AN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE ORIGINAL REPORT SEE NCJ 45149; FOR THE TEXT OF VOLUME I SEE NCJ 45988. (MFE)