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).

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).

NCES Report Released: Indicators of School Crime and Safety 2010

The Indicators of School Crime and Safety 2010 "report covers topics such as victimization, teacher injury, bullying, school conditions, fights, weapons, availability and student use of drugs and alcohol, and student perceptions of personal safety at school. Indicators of crime and safety are compared across different population subgroups and over time. Data on crimes that occur away from school are offered as a point of comparison where available." IES Newsflash

Indicators of School Crime and Safety, 2009

Indicators of School Crime and Safety, 2009 provides the most current detailed statistical information on crimes occurring in school as well as on the way to and from school. 

Other findings include:

• Students age 12-18 were victims of about 1.5 million crimes at school in 2007, with about 45 percent of these crimes reported as violent crimes ranging from simple assault and serious violence.
• Preliminary data show that among youth ages 5 to 18, there were 43 school-associated violent deaths from July 1, 2007, through June 30, 2008.
• There was an overall decline in the victimization rates for students ages 12 to 18 at school between 1992 and 2007, however there was no measurable difference in the rate of crime at school between 2004 and 2007.
• During the 2007–08 school year, 85 percent of public schools recorded that at least one violent crime, theft, or other crime occurred at their school.
• During the 2007–08 school year, a greater percentage of teachers in city schools (10 percent) reported being threatened with injury than teachers in town schools (7 percent) and suburban or rural schools (6 percent each).

(Source: IES Newsflash Service)

Indicators of School Crime and Safety 2008

NCES has released the report Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2008.A joint effort by the Bureau of Justice Statistics and NCES, this annual report examines crime occurring in school as well as on the way to and from school. Data on crime away from school are also presented to place school crime in the context of crime in the larger society. (Source: IES Newsflash 4/21/2009)

Student Victimization in US Schools--New Report from NCES

The National Center for Education Statistics within the Institute of Education Sciences has released the report "Student Victimization in U.S. Schools Results From the 2005 School Crime Supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey."

This report provides estimates of student victimization as defined by the 2005 School Crime Supplement (SCS) to the 2005 National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). This report incorporates findings from student respondents ages 12-18 in grades 6-12 that were interviewed during the 2005 school year.

It shows that student victims of crime are more likely to report conditions of an unfavorable school climate, security measures at school, and exhibit fear and avoidance behaviors. Additional topics covered in this report include the prevalence and type of student victimization at school and selected characteristics of victims, including their demographic characteristics and school type; and victim and nonvictim reports of the presence of gangs and weapons and the availability of drugs.
Posting from IES Newsflash 10/21/2008