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. In the School Survey on Crime and Safety, public school principals were asked about their school's use of safety and security 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 limiting access to social networking websites, are intended to monitor or restrict students' and visitors' behavior on campus.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2012). Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2011 (NCES 2012-002).
Percentage of public schools that used selected safety and security measures, by school level: 2009-10 | |||||
Selected safety and security measures | Total | School level1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Primary | Middle | High School | Combined | ||
Controlled access during school hours | |||||
Buildings (e.g., locked or monitored doors) | 91.7 | 93.8 | 94.4 | 85.9 | 80.6 |
Grounds (e.g., locked or monitored gates) | 46.0 | 50.8 | 41.9 | 42.8 | 25.4 |
Required to wear badges or picture IDs | |||||
Students | 6.9 | 2.4 | 11.9 | 19.0 | 6.2! |
Faculty and staff | 62.9 | 67.6 | 62.8 | 58.3 | 35.9 |
Metal detector checks on students | |||||
Random checks2 | 5.2 | 1.9 | 9.4 | 12.0 | 6.9! |
Required to pass through daily | 1.4 | ‡ | 1.5! | 4.8 | 3.8! |
Sweeps and technology | |||||
Random dog sniffs to check for drugs2 | 22.9 | 4.0 | 43.3 | 60.1 | 47.5 |
Random sweeps for contraband 2,3 | 12.1 | 3.6 | 20.1 | 28.7 | 25.6 |
Electronic notification system for school-wide emergency | 63.1 | 61.1 | 70.9 | 66.6 | 52.8 |
Structured, anonymous threat reporting system | 35.9 | 30.1 | 47.7 | 45.6 | 33.2 |
Use of security cameras to monitor school 2 | 61.1 | 50.6 | 73.4 | 84.3 | 67.2 |
Limited access to social networking websites from school computers | 93.4 | 92.4 | 96.0 | 94.6 | 92.9 |
Prohibited use of cell phones and text messaging devices | 90.9 | 92.6 | 97.1 | 80.2 | 83.2 |
Required students to wear uniforms | 18.9 | 21.5 | 19.3 | 9.7 | 15.1 |
NOTE: Responses were provided by the principal or the person most knowledgeable about crime and safety issues at the school. 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. (2012). Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2011 (NCES 2012-002), Table 20.2.