Emergency Response and Emergency Response and Preparedness TrainingPreparedness Training

Overview of School ViolenceOverview of School Violence National Labor College

August 6, 2008 – Silver Spring, Maryland

Sterling RobersonSterling RobersonDirector of School Safety and HealthDirector of School Safety and Health

United Federation of Teachers, Local # United Federation of Teachers, Local # 22

This material was produced under grant number SH-17035-08-60-F-11 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. These materials do not necessarily reflect views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of

any trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

A Collective Responsibility Teachers Teachers

AdministratorsAdministrators Parents Parents CommunityCommunity StudentsStudents

Safety in Schools Safety in Schools

SCOPE OF THE PROBLEMSCOPE OF THE PROBLEM

Centers of Disease Control and PreventionCenters of Disease Control and Prevention Over a five (Over a five (55) year period from 2000-2004,) year period from 2000-2004, teachers were the victims of approximately teachers were the victims of approximately

1,603,0001,603,000 nonfatal crimes at school. nonfatal crimes at school. This includes This includes 1,004,0001,004,000 thefts and thefts and 599,000 599,000

violent crimes (assaults, robbery, rape , and sex violent crimes (assaults, robbery, rape , and sex offense).offense).

On average, this translates into On average, this translates into 321,000321,000 nonfatal nonfatal crimes, and crimes, and 80,00080,000 violent crimes per year. violent crimes per year.

SCOPE OF THE PROBLEMSCOPE OF THE PROBLEMSenate Judiciary Committee on Media ViolenceSenate Judiciary Committee on Media ViolenceBy the age of 18, an American child has seen:By the age of 18, an American child has seen: 16,00016,000 simulated murders simulated murders 200,000200,000 acts of violence acts of violence = = 11,11111,111 acts of violence per year acts of violence per year = = 926926 acts of violence per month acts of violence per month = = 214214 acts of violence per week acts of violence per week = = 3131 acts of violence per day acts of violence per day

Percentage of Law Enforcement Percentage of Law Enforcement Agencies Reporting Gang Agencies Reporting Gang

Problems, 2002-2006Problems, 2002-2006

Gang Problems Gang Problems Reported in Reported in 2006 (%)2006 (%)

Gang Problems Gang Problems Ever Reported, Ever Reported, 2002-2006 (%)2002-2006 (%)

Rural CountiesRural Counties 14.914.9 27.427.4Smaller CitiesSmaller Cities 32.632.6 48.348.3Suburban CountiesSuburban Counties 51.051.0 61.561.5Larger CitiesLarger Cities 86.486.4 90.590.5

Source: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Source: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

Percentage of Agencies with Gang Percentage of Agencies with Gang Problems that reported an Increase in Problems that reported an Increase in

Gang-Related Crime, 2006Gang-Related Crime, 2006

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Assault Auto Theft Burglary Drug Sales Larceny/Theft Robbery

Source: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Source: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

SCOPE OF THE PROBLEMSCOPE OF THE PROBLEM

Hamilton Fish InstituteHamilton Fish Institute 287,000 weapons enter into U.S. schools 287,000 weapons enter into U.S. schools

in any 30 day period;in any 30 day period;Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2007Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2007 In 2005, some 19% of students (in grades In 2005, some 19% of students (in grades

9–12) reported they had carried a weapon 9–12) reported they had carried a weapon with them; with them;

6% of students reported they had carried a 6% of students reported they had carried a weapon on school property.weapon on school property.

Four things that ensures Four things that ensures Safe, Secure SchoolsSafe, Secure Schools

1.1. State LawState Law2.2. School District Safety RegulationsSchool District Safety Regulations3.3. Code of ConductCode of Conduct4.4. Collective Bargaining AgreementCollective Bargaining Agreement

State LawState Law

SAFE SCHOOLS AGAINST VIOLENCE IN EDUCATION ACTSAFE SCHOOLS AGAINST VIOLENCE IN EDUCATION ACT S.A.V.E. LEGISLATIONS.A.V.E. LEGISLATION

Major Provisions: Major Provisions: Safety plansSafety plans Emergency response plansEmergency response plans

Codes of conductCodes of conduct Teacher authority/principal authorityTeacher authority/principal authority

Mandated Uniform Violent Incident ReportingMandated Uniform Violent Incident Reporting Instruction in civility, citizenship and character educationInstruction in civility, citizenship and character education Health curriculumHealth curriculum Interpersonal Violence Prevention EducationInterpersonal Violence Prevention Education

School Violence Prevention TrainingSchool Violence Prevention Training Whistleblower protectionWhistleblower protection FingerprintingFingerprinting Assaults of teachersAssaults of teachers Child abuse reportingChild abuse reporting Prohibiting silent resignationsProhibiting silent resignations Teachers discipline Teachers discipline Court notificationCourt notification

Chancellor’s Chancellor’s RegulationRegulation

Code of ConductCode of Conduct

Discipline CodeDiscipline Code

Code of ConductCode of Conduct

Code of ConductCode of Conduct

Collective Collective Bargaining Bargaining AgreementAgreement

Safe Secure SchoolsSafe Secure Schools

Shared Decision MakingShared Decision Making Roles and responsibilities clearly definedRoles and responsibilities clearly defined AccountabilityAccountability Professional DevelopmentProfessional Development

What should schools do What should schools do to ensure that they are to ensure that they are

safe and secure?safe and secure?

What should schools do to ensure What should schools do to ensure that they are safe and secure? that they are safe and secure?

Develop functioning School Safety Develop functioning School Safety Committees;Committees;

Conduct Violence Prevention Training Conduct Violence Prevention Training Workshops;Workshops;

Training & Enforcement of the Code of Training & Enforcement of the Code of ConductConduct

Intervention Programs (conflict resolution, Intervention Programs (conflict resolution, individual and group counseling, peer individual and group counseling, peer mediation, mentoring, etc.)mediation, mentoring, etc.)

School Safety Committee MembersSchool Safety Committee MembersAt The Minimum:At The Minimum: The PrincipalThe Principal Principal(s)Principal(s)//Designee Designee UFT Chapter Leader/ Union RepresentativeUFT Chapter Leader/ Union Representative Parent Association PresidentParent Association President//DesigneeDesignee School Safety Agent(s) – Level 3/DesigneeSchool Safety Agent(s) – Level 3/Designee NYPD Precinct C.O.NYPD Precinct C.O.//DesigneeDesignee Custodial EngineerCustodial Engineer//DesigneeDesignee Student RepresentativesStudent Representatives

All parties listed above must All parties listed above must “sign-off”“sign-off” on the plan on the plan