Perceptions and Record of Violence in Middle and High School

Abstract

A common image of public schools is that they are inherently violent places where children are in constant danger of becoming victims of crime and are fearful of aggression at the hands of classmates. Noting the relatively few occurrences of violent behavior in most schools, some professionals assert that students are far safer there than in many homes and neighborhoods. Although fighting, violence, and gangs remain problems that many communities are addressing, teachers, parents, and students believe that their schools are safe places where children can grow and learn. This research examined the nature of the most common discipline problems in middle and high schools. The authors compared the perceptions of middle and high school teachers, parents, and students regarding discipline problems in their own schools with actual discipline problems reported by administrators for documentation in the state's student information database. They authors conclude that behavior incidents in middle and high school are relatively nonviolent, despite the public perception that school violence is increasing.