Earlier this year, CU Boulder released a review of the research that has been conducted by the Department of Justice regarding the root causes of school violence and strategies to make schools safer. CU Boulder recently highlighted the study in an email newsletter sent in conjunction with the Columbine High School shooting anniversary last week. The 59-page review includes five strategies for schools to improve safety and security.
The review suggests that schools implement a “comprehensive framework for school safety” that “balances evidence-based strategies for addressing school climate, student behavior, and physical security.” The authors note that each school has different needs and resources that should be accounted for when developing this framework.
The second suggestion is that schools conduct a survey every year that asks students how safe they feel at the school. “We found that in schools that have a positive school climate, there are not only lower levels of bullying, victimization, fighting, substance use and suspension, but also higher attendance rates and stronger academic performance,” lead author Sarah Goodrum said.
The third suggestion is that schools develop a “multi-tiered system of supports” to address the underlying causes of student behavior problems, including misconduct, aggression, and violence. Goodrum said a one-size-fits all approach misses the mark and zero-tolerance policies cause more harm than good. The authors recommend a “continuum of responses” to tackle student behavior issues.
The fourth suggestion is to consider security protocols carefully because the research on the effectiveness of many security technologies is limited. The authors state that emergency operations planning, lockdown drills, surveillance systems, and law enforcement collaboration are “reasonably sound.” Goodrum notes that “We don’t know if having surveillance cameras or metal detectors reduces crime and bullying in schools, and we do know that there can be some downsides.” Lockdown drills may help students and staff feel more prepared, but they may also increase stress.
The fifth suggestion is that a school’s resources and readiness should be considered before attempting to implement new school safety programs.
Some additional considerations were included in the report. Over 170 cases were averted because an anonymous citizen reported their concerns. Goodrum said students should be aware of anonymous reporting systems like Safe2Tell Colorado, through which people can report anything that concerns or threatens them or their community, and said that students should know how to make a report.
Karl Hill, professor of psychology and neuroscience and director of the Prevention Science Program at CU Boulder, referenced research that shows that 70 to 80 percent of violent offenders do not fall into a “high-risk” category. This underscores the need to provide “universal interventions” for all students, including anti-bullying programs and social/emotional learning programs.
The review concludes with the three main components that are essential to tackling school safety measures — school climate, student behavior, and physical security. School climate is defined as “the norms, values, relationships, teaching and learning, and organizational structure” that contributes to the way students feel about the school.
