Investigated public school vandalism with 7th through 12th grade students. Found vandalism highest in 7th grade, decreasing progressively with each increase in grade level. Predictors of vandalism included being from the lowest academic track, having committed acts of vandalism during junior high school (for high school students), coming from…

This report presents findings on crime and violence in U.S. public schools, using data from the 2007-08 School Survey on Crime and Safety (SSOCS:2008). SSOCS provides information about school crime-related topics from the perspective of schools by asking school principals about the frequency of incidents, such as physical attacks, robberies, and…

This report, one of two related volumes, is the work of an Illinois task force on school violence and vandalism. It presents the task force's findings regarding the nature and extent of the problem, a summary of its major recommendations to local districts, and recommendations for state-level consideration. The report begins with an analysis of…

The central problem examined in this dissertation is the rapid increase in violence and disorder in American public schools. The extent and types of disruption are described and analyzed. School disorders have been divided into two broad categories: 1) school disorder relating to problems of ideological conflict and dissent, and 2) school…

Faced with a $200-million-a-year loss in school property, schoolmen have come up with a kaleidoscope of ideas to halt acts of vandalism. (Author)

Discusses how one high school transformed its restrooms into cleaner and more vandal-resistant environments by automating them. Solutions discussed include installing perforated stainless steel panel ceilings, using epoxy-based paint for walls, selecting china commode fixtures instead of stainless steel, installing electronic faucets and sensors,…

Explores school bathroom vandalism prevention strategies and tips in improving sanitary conditions. Ways of removing temptation from primary bathroom targets are highlighted, including adding warm-air hand dryers and sensor faucets. (GR)

Describes ways to make school washrooms more vandal resistant and cost effective through the use of durability and use-and-abuse criteria. Explores washroom accessory and toilet-partition selection and discusses additional vandal-prone concerns such as mirror and dispenser protection. (GR)

Describes rumor mill,'' sheets on which community members are asked to write rumors they have heard and mail in to the superintendent; a coding system for inventory control of borrowed equipment; the use of a teletype machine in a reading program; and various mini-ideas including telephone cable core furniture, mad money'' given to students on a…

Discusses the types of vandalism and motivating forces behind vandalism, and makes suggestions for alleviating it. The author suggests that physical security measures are high-cost, low-yield items in terms of vandalism reduction. He argues for (1) the development of an information systems model to determine the effectiveness of various crime…

Space age technology is providing techniques for attacking problems of crime control in schools and provides help in developing programs to improve instruction and facilitate learning. (Editor/CB)

Describes the Huntsville, Alabama, school district's use of surveillance cameras and other high-tech equipment to ward off arson, theft, and vandalism. Discusses how these efforts reduced repair and replacement costs and helped the district retain its insurance coverage. (GR)

Public schools that use punitive approaches toward student discipline can unwittingly promote violence and other antisocial behavior. This article reviews constructive and preventive methods to reduce school violence and vandalism. Various strategies are presented and discussed. (Contains 62 references.) (Author)

Describes public school responses to crime and student delinquency in terms of behavioral expectations. The authors conclude that school discipline policies are often based more on the fear of violence, disruptive behavior, and unpredictable situations than on actual incidents. (AM)

Identifies laws from 36 states responding to school crime and violence in the following categories: (1) assault, battery, and related violent crime; (2) illicit drugs; (3) possession of weapons; (4) vandalism and damage to school property; and (5) miscellaneous statutes. Draws policy implications for states. (102 footnotes) (MLF)