NCJ Number
45307
Date Published
1977
Length
205 pages
Annotation
THIS STUDY EXAMINES TRENDS IN SECONDARY SCHOOL VIOLENCE, PARTICULARLY THE KINDS, FREQUENCY, AND INTENSITY OF MISBEHAVIORS AND THE SCHOOLS' RESPONSES TO THOSE MISBEHAVIORS, FROM 1950 TO 1975.
Abstract
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY ITSELF IS DESCRIBED -- ITS PURPOSES, METHODS, AND DEFINITIONS OF TERMS USED. STUDIES WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED CONCERNING DISRUPTIONS AND CRIMES IN SCHOOLS, DISCIPLINE, COSTS, PUBLIC CONCERN, AND RELATED AREAS ARE REVIEWED. EACH OF THE THREE MAJOR AREAS OF SCHOOL VIOLENCE -- DISORDERS, DISRUPTIONS, AND CRIMES -- ARE TREATED SEPARATELY. DISORDERS ARE NONCRIMINAL ACTS COMMITTED BY INDIVIDUALS IN VIOLATION OF SCHOOL RULES. DISCIPLINARY ACTION IS USUALLY CARRIED OUT ENTIRELY UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE SCHOOL ITSELF. THE AREA IS CONSIDERED FROM THE POINTS OF VIEW OF PUPILS, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS, AND SECURITY OFFICERS. MAJOR TRENDS IN DISORDERS AND SCHOOLS RESPONSES ARE EXAMINED, AND CONCLUSIONS ARE DRAWN. DISRUPTION IS A GROUP EVENT; IT IS AN ACTIVITY DESIGNED TO ACCOMPLISH A PLANNED GOAL OR ESTABLISH A POINT OF CONTENTION, E.G., BOYCOTT. A CRIME IS AN ACT FORBIDDEN BY PUBLIC LAW THAT, IF COMMITTED, CAN CAUSE AN ADULT TO BE ARRESTED; JUVENILE STATUS OFFENSES ARE EXCLUDED FROM THIS CATEGORY. DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW, MAJOR TRENDS, AND CONCLUSIONS REGARDING EACH CATEGORY ARE PRESENTED. OVERALL CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE SUMMARIZED, AND SUPPORTING DATA ARE GIVEN IN GRAPHIC FORM. APPENDIXES SUMMARIZE MAJOR SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY RELATING TO JUVENILES BETWEEN 1950 AND 1975 AND FURNISH AN INCIDENT REPORT FORM. AUTHOR AND SUBJECT INDEXES ARE PROVIDED, AND REFERENCES ARE GIVEN FOR EACH CHAPTER.