Findings From the K-12 Survey Project: A Special Report of the NGCRC on Gang Problems in Schools

• NCJ Number: 216631
• Journal: Journal of Gang Research Volume: 14 Issue: 1 Dated: Fall 2006 Pages: 1-52
• Author(s): George W. Knox
• Date Published: 2006
• Length: 52 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This report presents findings from an analysis of data from the National Gang Crime Research Center’s (NGCRC) 2006 research project, School Survey of Gang-Related Issues which examined gang-related problems in America’s public schools.

Abstract

Highlights of quantitative findings from the School Survey of Gang-Related Issues include: (1) about two-thirds of American schools have written policies against gang activity; (2) most schools prohibit gang symbols in clothing; (3) two-fifths of American schools reported gang fights near their school in the last year; (4) few schools (16.4 percent of schools responding) provide mandatory gang training to teachers and staff; (5) a mean of 37.6 students per school were gang members; (6) 37.7 percent reported gang conflicts between students in school; (7) female gangs are found in nearly one-fifth of all American schools; (8) 13.7 percent of the school reporting have a gang prevention program; (9) four-fifths of American schools have written policies prohibiting bullying; (10) two-thirds (64.2 percent) of American schools have written policies prohibiting hate group activity; (11) an average of 34.5 percent of students associate with a social network of illegal drug use; (12) 48.8 percent of students responding indicated that their school had a drug prevention program; and (13) 57.4 percent felt that the methamphetamine drug problem would escalate. In 2006, the National Gang Crime Research Center (NGCRC) conducted a research project, the School Survey of Gang-Related Issues which was a rigorous preliminary examination of gang-related problems and prevention policies in American public schools. The survey studied public K-12 schools with a special emphasis on high schools where most problems are found. The survey sample consisted of 83.7 percent high schools, 10.7 percent middle schools, and 5.6 percent elementary/other schools. The sample size included 212 respondents from cities, large and small. Tables, notes, and survey instrument