NCJ Number
49002
Journal
Crime and Delinquency Volume: 24 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1978) Pages: 266-276
Date Published
1978
Length
11 pages
Annotation
THE METHODOLOGY AND PROGRAMMATIC IMPLICATIONS OF THE SAFE SCHOOL STUDY ARE EXAMINED, AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE GIVEN IN THE AREAS OF LEGISLATION, FEDERAL SUPPORT, AND RESEARCH NEEDS.
Abstract
METHODOLOGICAL PROCEDURES ARE DEEMED INADEQUATE IN THE AREAS OF IDENTIFICATION OF SERIOUS INCIDENTS IN SCHOOLS, ASSURANCE OF VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY, EXTENT AND PREVALENCE OF SCHOOL CRIME INTERPRETATION AND WEIGHTING OF DATA, STATISTICAL ANALYSIS, AND THE STUDENT QUESTIONNAIRE. DESPITE THESE METHODOLOGICAL PROBLEMS, THE AUTHOR'S KNOWLEDGE OF THE SUBJECT FROM OTHER SOURCES LEADS HIM TO CONCLUDE THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT FINDINGS OF THE STUDY ARE ESSENTIALLY ACCURATE. THERE IS CONCURRENCE WITH THE REPORT'S EMPHASIS ON SUCH FACTORS AS THE GOVERNANCE OF THE SCHOOL, ITS EDUCATIONAL QUALITY, AND ITS PERCEIVED RELEVANCE TO THE STUDENT POPULATION AS AMONG THE CORE ISSUES IN DEVELOPING SAFE SCHOOLS. IN THE AREA OF LEGISLATION, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT AN AUTHORIZATION BILL BE ENACTED WITH THE FOLLOWING FEATURES: (1) CREATION OF A SMALL UNIT WITHIN THE OFFICE OF EDUCATION TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR TRAINING, ACTION RESEARCH, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, TOGETHER WITH OTHER EFFORTS TO ALLEVIATE THE SCHOOL CRIME PROBLEM; (2) CREATION OF A MEASUREMENT CAPABILITY WITHIN THE NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION AND STATISTICS SERVICE OF LEAA; AND (3) ESTABLISHMENT OF A COORDINATION OF FEDERAL EFFORT ROLE FOR THE OFFICE OF JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION. PRINCIPLES GOVERNING FEDERAL SUPPORT OF ATTEMPTS TO MAKE SCHOOLS SAFE ARE SUGGESTED, AND RESEARCH NEEDS ARE IDENTIFIED IN THE AREAS OF REGULAR SURVEYS OF THE SCHOOL CRIME PROBLEM, EVALUATING GOOD PRACTICES, CONSCIOUSNESS RAISING OF COMMUNITIES, SCHOOL BOARDS, AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS CONCERNING THE PROBLEM, AND THE PRIMARY PREVENTION OF SCHOOL CRIME. UNDER THE LATTER TOPIC, SHORT REVIEWS OF PROMISING PROGRAMS ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)