This report focuses on the activities of the National Institute of Justice in 1998. It begins by discussing the organization and its financial data. Funding growth and collaborative activities since 1994 are also described. Overviews of basic and applied research, technology development, testing the research and technology, initiatives with other…

This workshop and planning guide is designed to help stakeholders create safe schools for students. The guide is intended to be used with three 20-minute videotape programs that feature an inside look at two schools that actively involved their communities in improving school safety. The three videos--"Building the Team,""The Safe School…

Describes a pilot exercise in teaching middle and high school students how to conduct an assessment of the physical conditions and policies of their schools. Students were taught to use Crime Prevention through Environmental Design principles and to apply them in their own schools. (SLD)

When one mother was asked how often she worried about her child's safety, she replied, "Every time she goes out the door." Many parents rely on school abuse prevention programs to teach kids how to stay safe. But what if these programs actually increase the risk of sex crimes that target kids? What happens if parental efforts to safeguard kids…

Despite nationwide decreases in school crime and violence, a relatively high and increasing number of students report feeling unsafe at school. In response, some school officials are implementing school-police partnerships, especially in urban areas, as an effort to deter criminal activity and violence in schools. This article examines the initial…

The school's responsibility is to provide an effective learning environment for students to achieve academic success. The California Safe Schools Assessment (CSSA) collects data on individual incidents of school crime from all California public schools and county-operated education programs. The California Department of Education strongly…

In 1997, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation requiring local school boards to conduct school safety audits for each school under their jurisdiction. Guidelines for helping educators conduct these audits are presented here. This guide is designed to help administrators chart an informed, responsible, and proactive course toward…

There are probably thousands of programs and courses intended to prevent or reduce violence in this nation's schools. Evaluating these many programs has become a problem or goal in itself. There are now many evaluation programs, with many levels of designations, such as model, promising, best practice, exemplary and noteworthy. "Model program" is…

This document presents a policy framework designed to foster action to prevent child victimization and the likelihood that children living in high risk situations will engage in adolescent and/or later life criminal behavior. It applies to children ages 0 to 12 years. Eight sections include: (1) "Introduction"; (2) "Policy…

This document presents a policy framework designed to foster action to prevent youth victimization and the likelihood that youth living in high risk situations will engage in adolescent and/or later life criminal behavior. It applies to youth ages 12 to 18 years. Eight sections include: (1) "Introduction"; (2) "Policy…

This guide presents a brief summary of the research on violence prevention and intervention and crisis response in schools. It tells school communities: (1) what to look for--the early warning signs that relate to violence and other troubling student behavior; and (2) what to do--the action steps that school communities can take to prevent…

This guide encourages people to create safe walking and biking routes to school, promoting four issues: physically active travel, safe and walkable routes to school, crime prevention, and health environments. The chapters include: "KidsWalk-to-School: A Guide to Promote Walking to School" (Is there a solution? Why is walking to school important?…

Explains what security officers do, how to hire and utilize them, and how they can help schools. (JM)

Summarizes broadly representative research and promising practices in school systems aimed at reducing discipline problems and school crime. Advises that disciplinary strategies and procedures should be developed in collaboration with school staff and students and be administered fairly and consistently. (15 references) (MLF)

Regarded as the nation's gang violence capital, Los Angeles' politicians and law enforcement and school administrators are using knowledge from lost battles to win the war. Solutions include targeting younger children, teaching self-esteem and communication skills, as well as organizing group graffiti cleanups. (SI)