Teacher Estimates of Handicapped Student Crime Victimization and Delinquency

Abstract

This study examines estimates of violent and property crimes. Seventy-five special education teachers from 21 Illinois counties and 30 school districts identified the most common violent and property crimes among their special education students, estimated the prevalence of crime victimization, as well as delinquency among their special education students.

Student disability type and delinquency risk level were examined and compared. The results indicated a significant difference between learning-disabled and behaviorally disordered victims of violence. A comparison of special education teacher crime rankings and the Crime in Illinois: Illinois Uniform Crime Report's rankings yield a +1.00 Spearman Rank-Order Correlation. These findings were interpreted as indicating a need for more in-depth federal and state crime reporting methods. Also, this study indicates a need for education aimed at reducing the vulnerability of the handicapped student as both victim and perpetrator of crime.

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