Other Related Surveys

The perspectives of teachers, district personnel, and parents on issues related to crime, violence, and the general climate of schools have been tapped in several National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) surveys.

The District Survey on Safe, Disciplined, and Drug-Free Schools

The District Survey on Safe, Disciplined, and Drug-Free Schools was a one-time national survey conducted in the 1990-91 school year. About 700 public elementary, secondary, and combined school district superintendents were asked about issues related to safety, discipline, and drug-use prevention in the schools in their districts. It covered such topics as:

• The district's drug use education program/activities;
• The nature of drug, alcohol, and tobacco use education;
• The extent to which various organizations in their districts provide assistance to promote safe, disciplined, and drug-free schools; and
• Disciplinary actions taken in their districts for disruptive behavior or student alcohol and drug use, possession, or sales.

The Teacher Survey on Safe, Disciplined, and Drug-Free Schools was a one-time national survey of teachers' perspectives on issues related to safety, discipline, and drug use prevention in public elementary and secondary schools during the 1990-91 school year. A national sample of 1,350 public school teachers responded to questions concerning the extent of discipline problems within schools and the nature and effectiveness of current policies and drug education programs. Specific topics covered included:

• The nature and extent of disciplinary problems in their schools;
• The nature of their schools' discipline and alcohol, drug, and tobacco policies;
• Perceived effectiveness of their schools' programs and policies regarding discipline and drug, alcohol, and tobacco prevention;
• The nature and extent of teacher training on their schools' discipline programs and policies;
• Factors limiting their ability to maintain order and discipline; and
• Victimization (physical attack, threat of injury, verbal abuse) and perceived safety at school.