NCJ Number
85766
Date Published
1982
Length
52 pages
Annotation
This study examines the nature and extent of crime and 'serious incidents' in Virginia's middle and high schools, determines how school administrators are currently addressing school crime and the assistance they desire, and offers eight recommendations.
Abstract
A sample of 26 schools was selected to represent Virginia's middle and high schools by size, geography, and school economy as determined by pupil expenditure and teacher salary. Pupil suspension and expulsion data were obtained through forms mailed to principals, and interviews were conducted with school administrators, juvenile law enforcement officials, and juvenile court service unit directors. The suspension and expulsion incidents examined in the study were student-on-student fights, student-on-teacher assaults, verbal abuse, possession and use of weapons, alcohol and drug use and distribution, vandalism and theft, and 'other.' Student-on student fighting was by far the most frequent reason for student suspensions (about half). Drug and alcohol use accounted for 20 percent of suspensions, and the remaining serious incidents were divided among verbal abuse, vandalism and theft, possession of weapons, and other offenses, each of which constitutes less than 10 percent of the total suspensions. Recommendations include (1) principals establishing structures for communicating with juvenile courts and police regularly, (2) probation counselors using school services in their disposition recommendations, (3) specifying public relations functions in a principal's job description, (4) the development of a statewide system for keeping records on serious school incidents, (5) the distribution of security resources to schools on the basis of risk assessment, and (6) the involvement of students in school decisions that affect them. Study instruments are appended.