Question:
What safety and security measures are used in America's public schools?
Response:
Public schools use a variety of practices and procedures intended to promote the safety of students and staff. The School Survey on Crime and Safety provides information on what types of safety and sceurity measures schools use and how frequently they use them. In the Survey, public school officials were asked about their school’s use of such measures and procedures. Certain practices, such as locked or monitored doors or gates, are intended to limit or control access to school campuses, while others, such as metal detectors, security cameras, and drug sweeps, are intended to monitor or restrict students’ and visitors’ behavior on campus.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2007). Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2007 (NCES 2008-021).
Percentage of public schools that used selected safety and security measures, by school level: 2005-06 | |||||
Selected safety and security measures | School level1 | ||||
All schools2 | Primary | Middle | High School | ||
Limited access during school hours | |||||
Buildings (e.g., locked or monitored doors) | 84.9 | 87.9 | 84.4 | 76.6 | |
Grounds (e.g., locked or monitored gates) | 41.1 | 44.5 | 35.1 | 36.4 | |
Required to wear badges or picture IDs | |||||
Students | 6.1 | 2.3 | 10.1 | 16.1 | |
Faculty | 47.8 | 50.8 | 52.1 | 46.6 | |
Metal detector checks on students | |||||
Random checks3 | 4.9 | 2.3 | 9.0 | 10.8 | |
Require to pass through daily | 1.1 | 0.6! | 1.8 | 2.6 | |
Sweeps and technology | |||||
Random dog sniffs to check for drugs | 23.0 | 4.1 | 40.9 | 60.6 | |
Random sweeps for contraband 3,4 | 13.1 | 2.3 | 22.3 | 29.8 | |
Use of security cameras to monitor school 3 | 42.8 | 31.4 | 52.5 | 69.7 | |
Require students to wear uniforms | 13.8 | 16.4 | 14.0 | 5.4 |
NOTE: Either school principals or the person most knowledgeable about discipline issues at school completed the SSOCS questionnaire. Respondents were instructed to respond only for those times that were during normal school hours or when school activities or events were in session, unless the survey specified otherwise.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2007). Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2007 (NCES 2008-021), Table 20.1.
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