Crime, Violence, Discipline, and Safety in U.S. Public Schools

From the School Survey on Crime and Safety, NCES presents this report that provides a first look report at the findings.

Important points:

During the 2009–10 school year, the rate of violent incidents per 1,000 students was higher in middle schools (40 incidents) than in primary schools or high schools (21 incidents each).

Some 10 percent of city schools reported at least one gang-related crime, a higher percentage than that reported by suburban (5 percent), town (4 percent), or rural schools (2 percent).

A higher percentage of middle schools reported that student bullying occurred at school daily or at least once a week (39 percent) than did high schools or primary schools (20 percent each).

The Condition of Education 2011

The National Center for Education Statistics, released The Condition of Education 2011, presenting 50 indicators on demographics, resources and outcomes associated with US schools and education.

Report findings include:

• In 2007-08, about three-quarters of the 2003-04 freshman class graduated with a regular diploma from public high schools.

• From 2000 to 2009, undergraduate enrollment in postsecondary institutions increased from 13 million students to 18 million. During this period, undergraduate enrollment in private for-profit institutions quadrupled – from 0.4 million students in 2000 to 1.6 million in 2009.

• Between 1975 and 2010, the percentages of White, Black and Hispanic 25- to 29-year-olds who had a bachelor’s degree increased. Yet, during this period, the gap in bachelor’s degree attainment between Blacks and Whites increased from 13 to 19 percentage points, and the gap between Whites and Hispanics increased from 15 to 25 percentage points.

To view the full report please visit
http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2011033

Education Dept. Withdraws Federal Support for School Libraries

American Libraries reports that the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries program was zeroed out under the Department of Education’s allocation for FY2011 funding (PDF), released on May 17.