NCJ Number
117227
Journal
Lay Panel Magazine Volume: 21 Dated: (April 1989) Pages: 8-10
Date Published
1989
Length
3 pages
Annotation
A 3-year project is being conducted in four inner city Chicago elementary schools that have large upper grade populations and numerous discipline and safety problems.
Abstract
The project is being conducted in three phases, the first two of which have been completed: 1) researchers gathered data on disciplinary conditions in the four schools and interviewed principals and teachers to determine their views on school discipline; 2) school administrators, teachers, students, and parents developed local crime, discipline, and safety codes; and 3) various procedures called for in the new school codes are being implemented. Results of the first phase revealed that teachers and students were more afraid of conditions immediately outside the school building than within the school. Yet, half the teachers reported being subject to verbal abuse from students, half the students said they felt unsafe in school and had been victims of theft, and teachers said physical fights between students were the most pressing discipline problems they faced. The greatest number of violations occurred in grades five and six during March and October. Codes developed during the project's second phase, are being introduced during the project's third phase, with the goal of insuring that both students and parents are positively involved. At the end of the 1988-1989 school year, the amount of improvement in school order and safety resulting from code implementation will be assessed.