NCJ Number
69458
Date Published
1978
Length
18 pages
Annotation
APPROACHES TO REDUCING SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY VIOLENCE AND VANDALISM ARE OUTLINED IN THIS VOLUME, WHICH ALSO REVIEWS OTHER ANTICRIME RESOURCES IN THE SCHOOL AND RECOMMENDS ACTIONS THAT CAN BE TAKEN BY THE SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY.
Abstract
BEHAVIOR-MODIFYING PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS INCLUDE ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION, OPTIONAL EDUCATION, RESPONSIBILITY EDUCATION, AND LAW-RELATED EDUCATION. ALSO NECESSARY TO THE REDUCTION OF VIOLENCE AND VANDALISM IS THE INVOLVEMENT OF COMMUNITY, PARENTS, AND POLICE THROUGH COMMUNITY EDUCATION WORKSHOPS, COMMITTEES, AND COUNCILS INVOLVING REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY (BUSINESS, VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS, MEDIA, CHURCHES, CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS, ETC.). GREATER AWARENESS BY PARENTS AND STUDENTS OF LAWS DEFINING CRIMINAL OFFENSES IS ESSENTIAL IN DISTRICTS WANTING TO USE THE LEGAL PROCESS AS A MEANS OF DETERRING VIOLENCE AND VANDALISM. THE PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY LAW, AND OTHER STATE STATUTES AND LOCAL ORDINANCES ARE ADDITIONAL LEGAL MEANS OF PREVENTING JUVENILE CRIME. DETAILED AND UNIFORM REPORTING FORMS FOR INCIDENCES OF VIOLENCE AND VANDALISM CAN BE USED TO GATHER INFORMATION FOR PLANNING PREVENTIVE PROGRAMS AND DETERRENCE MEASURES, AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION FOR AUTHORITIES FOR LEGAL ACTION. RECOMMENDATIONS UNDERLINE THE NEED FOR CLEAR GUIDELINES REGARDING DISCIPLINE, FOR ANTITRUANCY AND STUDENT OR PEER COUNSELING COMMITTEES, FOR DISCUSSION GROUPS THAT INVOLVE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS, FOR MORE PARENT-STUDENT-TEACHER RELATIONSHIP BUILDING, AND FOR LIAISONS BETWEEN SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS AND THE POLICE. ALSO SUGGESTED IS MORE INVOLVEMENT OF THE SCHOOL CUSTODIANS, PRINCIPALS, AND OTHER SCHOOL OFFICIALS IN GETTING TO KNOW STUDENTS, IN INSTITUTING ALTERNATIVES TO SUSPENSION, AND IN CLARIFYING SCHOOL POLICIES. REVIEWS OF FEDERAL AND STATE PROGRAMS AND PUBLICATIONS ARE APPENDED, TOGETHER WITH ADDITIONAL REFERENCES APPENDED.