NCJ Number
229152
Date Published
2009
Length
202 pages
Annotation
In addressing arguments advanced by opponents of the use of school security practices, this study examined the influence of the use of school security measures on levels of student fear, bonding, and school climate.
Abstract
The study did not find evidence that would support the following tested hypotheses: the level of student fear is higher in schools that use security devices than in schools that do not use security devices; and the level of student bonding is lower in schools that use security devices than in schools that do not use security devices. This lack of support for these tested hypotheses refutes the argument that school security devices foster a culture of fear and coercion that adversely impacts the school climate. On the other hand, the study also failed to support the contention of advocates of school security devices and measures that they send a message to students that the school takes seriously the threat of violence and is doing something to prevent it. A significant positive association was found between communal school organization and student bonding; however, this finding disappeared once level-2 controls were entered into the model. This indicates that the observed link between school climate and student bonding was due to the influence of these exogenous variables. Future research should address the use of school security devices in order to determine their usefulness in reducing school violence and disorder, while continuing analyses of their influence on student fear with other samples. It is recommended that such research involve a randomized experimental design in which schools are randomly assigned the use of security devices. The current study used data from the National Study of Delinquency Prevention in Schools in order to examine the variables of interest. 18 tables, approximately 180 references, a subject index, and appended questionnaires