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SCHOOL VIOLENCE AND VANDALISM

NCJ Number
47008
Author(s)
KIERNAN
Date Published
1975
Length
15 pages
Annotation
A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS DISCUSSES THE PROBLEM OF VIOLENCE AND VANDALISM IN HIGH SCHOOLS AND OFFERS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM.
Abstract
THE REMARKS WERE PRESENTED BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE JUVENILE DELINQUENCY, U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY, IN APRIL 1975. EVIDENCE OF INCREASING VIOLENCE IN CITY AND SUBURBAN HIGH SCHOOLS IS CITED. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO SCHOOL CRIME ARE SAID TO INCLUDE BREAKDOWN OF THE FAMILY, VIOLENCE ON TELEVISION AND IN MOVIES, STREET CRIME THAT SPILLS INTO THE SCHOOLS, DRUG ABUSE, ANONYMITY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND SCHOOL, A PHILOSOPHY OF SELF-SERVING EXPEDIENCY, SUBGROUP ALLEGIANCE, AND CONTEMPT FOR THE VALUE OF PERSONAL AND PUBLIC PROPERTY. OTHER FACTORS, DESCRIBED AS PARTICULARLY EVIDENT TO HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, ARE LETHARGIC COURTS, THE 'OPENNESS' OF SCHOOLS, AN IMBALANCE BETWEEN STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES, TEACHER APATHY, PARENT IGNORANCE AND/OR INDIFFERENCE, AND THE INFLUENCE OF NONSCHOOL CURRICULUMS (TELEVISION, ADVERTISING, ETC.). IT IS EMPHASIZED THAT THE RISE IN CRIME AMONG YOUTHS IS NOT PRIMARILY DUE TO POVERTY, NOR TO LACK OF OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN AND TO PARTICIPATE IN SCHOOL ACTIVITIES, NOR TO RESTRICTED ALTERNATIVES. THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS ARE OFFERED: (1) PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION TO FUND THE TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT OF SCHOOL SECURITY OFFICERS; (2) PROMPT ATTENTION BY THE COURTS TO ACTS OF ALLEGED CRIME AND SCHOOLS; (3) CURRICULUM REFORMS AIMED AT REDIRECTING NEGATIVE ATTITUDES AMONG STUDENTS; (4) STUDENT INVOLVEMENT; AND (5) CONSIDERATION OF INNOVATIVE APPROACHES, SUCH AS 'STAKING' STUDENTS TO A BUDGET EQUALING THE COST OF REPAIRING VANDALISM, REDUCING SCHOOL SIZE OR DEVELOPING 'SUB-SCHOOLS,' OR HIRING LIVE-IN CUSTODIANS. (LKM)