Enhancing School Safety Through Positive Climate and Social Support
Amidst growing concerns about weapons and violence in schools, researchers present two contrasting visions for fostering safety. One perspective advocates for inclusive, supportive environments emphasizing social-emotional learning and community engagement. In contrast, a punitive approach focuses on security measures derived from law enforcement and military strategies. Comprehensive reviews suggest that nurturing a positive school climate and integrating social-emotional learning can significantly reduce bullying, harassment, and weapon-related incidents in schools, benefiting diverse student populations worldwide.
Uploaded on Aug 06, 2024 | 8 Views
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. Download presentation by click this link. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Reducing Weapons and Weapon Exposure in Schools: A Statewide, Data-Driven, Local Empowerment Approach Ron Avi Astor Stein-Wood Professor of School Behavioral Health USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Rossier School of Education University of Southern California In collaboration with Rami Benbenishty Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Emeritus) Citations: 1. Astor, R.A., & Benbenishty, R. (2019). Bullying, school violence, and climate in evolving contexts: Culture, organization and time (Chapter 5- Weapons and Schools). New York: Oxford University Press. 2. Astor, R.A., Jacobson, L., Wrabel, S., Benbenishty, R., & Pineda, D. (2018) Welcoming practices: Creating schools that support students and families in transition. New York: Oxford University Press. 3. Astor, R.A. & Benbenishty, R. (2018) Mapping and monitoring bullying and violence: Building a safe school climate. New York: Oxford University Press.
Two Visions About What Our Schools and Society Should Be One vision believes that the path for lasting safety comes from welcoming, caring, and supportive schools focuses on school climate, social emotional learning, civic engagement and community-- in addition to great academics. also advocates for humane social supports, community linkages to resources for those students struggling with mental health, family and societal obstacles.
Alternative Vision of School Safety Another vision is a restrictive and punitive reaction to the mass shootings in schools that aims to protect students from mass shootings based on tools and ideas that originate in law enforcement, prison architecture and security measures military strategies
Comprehensive Reviews Covering Hundreds of International Studies, and Large-Scale Epidemiological Studies Show: Schools with positive school climate and integrated SEL foci have significantly reduced Isolation Verbal bullying Physical bullying Sexual harassment/ assault Cyberbullying Negative relationships between students and between students and teachers And have decreased student/ teacher reports of: Weapons use, being threatened by a weapon, and seeing or knowing about a weapon on school grounds
Positive Climate Lowers Rates of Victimization With Vulnerable Groups All Over The Globe. Homeless, foster care, and group home students Military and Veteran connected students LGBTQ students Immigrant groups-- including refugees Girls --surrounding sexual harassment (multiple countries) African American, Native American, Latinx-- in USA Jewish, Arab, Christian, Bedouin, Druze, Ultra Orthodox-- in Israel Different subgroups in Chile, Taiwan, Kosovo, Albania, Serbia, France, and Cameroon
Bullying, School Violence, and Climate in Evolving Contexts: Culture, Organization and Time Ron Avi Astor Rami Benbenishty
School Organization Consequenc es (e.g.,) Victimization to Violence and Bullying External Influences Academic Suicide Fear Substances School Climate
Federal State County District School
National Public Health Strategy Focusing on Education, Climate, SEL and Reducing Weapons Mapping and Monitoring, and Welcoming Methods, focus on using valid and reliable local data with: Student voice and empowerment Teacher voice and empowerment Staff voice and empowerment
Awareness Evaluation Mobilization Gather Process Interpret Share Decide Assessment DATA Planning Implementation
What About SEL, Climate, and Resources for Weapon Behavior Reduction? Using Monitoring and Welcoming school Methods to combine SEL, Climate, Local Community Resources, and Threat Assessment surrounding student and teacher reports of weapon behaviors on school grounds?
Example of Public Health Approach In climate improvement surveys 20-30% of CA students say they have seen a weapon on school grounds (each year for the past 20 years) We have that data in CA for almost every school every year. The strategy of weapon reduction and prevention starts with student voice, knowledge and suggestions Schools with high rates are identified and given extra resources needed to improve climate, improve SEL, link to community resources Local voice of students, staff and parents are used to make safer and more welcoming school Has been done at scale in Israel, Chile, CA as examples.
Killed by a Weapon Injured with a Weapon Threatened with a Weapon Carried a Gun Carried a knife of a club Saw a Weapon Heard of a Weapon NoWeapon Exposure
Student-Level Distribution of Weapon-Related Behaviors (N = 528,436) Carried a Gun Carried a Knife or Club Threatened or Injured with a Gun, Knife, or Club Saw a Gun, Knife, or Other Weapon 0 times 96.0 92.0 93.2 76.7 1 time 1.6 3.4 3.6 11.7 2 or 3 times 0.9 1.7 1.5 5.9 4 or more times 1.5 2.9 1.7 5.7 At least once 4.0 8.0 6.8 24.0
This means between 2011 and 2013 in California alone over 100,000 guns brought to school grounds 200,000 knives and clubs brought to school grounds 175,000 students threatened by weapons on school grounds 625,000 saw a weapon on school grounds
Distribution of Weapon-Related Behaviors in Schools (N = 1,849) Percentage of Students Carried a Gun Carried Knife or Club Threatened or Injured with a Weapon 4.8 1.5 10.0 21.4 22.0 Saw Someone Carrying a Weapon 0.5 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.8 0.00 0.01 1.99 2.00 3.99 4.00 5.99 6.00 7.99 10.2 11.2 32.7 22.5 21.3 4.3 0.9 7.4 14.0 19.8 8.00 14.99 9.0 39.5 33.3 9.8 15.00+ 3.3 12.1 7.0 88.6
Carried a Gun 35 30 25 20 15 Carried a gun 10 5 0 0 15.00+ 0.01 1.99 2.00 3.99 4.00 5.99 6.00 7.99 8.00 14.99
Carried a Gun or a Knife 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 Carried a gun 10 5 Carried a knife 0 0 15.00+ 0.01 1.99 2.00 3.99 4.00 5.99 6.00 7.99 8.00 14.99
Carried a Gun or a Knife or Threatened 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 0 15.00+ 0.01 1.99 2.00 3.99 4.00 5.99 6.00 7.99 8.00 14.99
Carried a Gun or a Knife or Threatened or Saw a Weapon 100 Saw a weapon in school 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 Carried a knife 0 0 15.00+ 0.01 1.99 2.00 3.99 4.00 5.99 6.00 7.99 8.00 14.99
Combining SEL, Climate, Community Resources, and Threat Assessment Using Student Voice In a recent 7 year study (2017) conducted in 145 CA Schools (over 100,000 students), a combination of Climate/ SEL/ Community interventions resulted in: 55 % reduction in gun carrying on school grounds 37.5% reduction in knives, guns, clubs or other weapons in injury or threats with a weapon of injury 40% reduction in seeing a weapon on school grounds 44% reduction in gang affiliation and participation
Consortium Schools at Wave II (during interventionstart), Wave III (near end of intervention), and Wave IV (three years after the intervention) Compared With Wave 1 (pre-intervention): Dividing indexed means Time 1 with Times II, III, and IV. Shifts over time in means for indexes on outcomes. I-II I-III I-IV School Belongingness + + + School Adult Support - - - School Participation Feeling of safety - + - + - + Moderate victimization + + + Severe violence involvement + + + Weapon involvement + + + Discrimination victimization Gang member Life cigarette Life alcohol Life marijuana + + + + + = = + + + + + + + + Life Softer Substances Life Drunk High + + + + + + Past month cigarette + + + Past month alcohol + + + Past month marijuana + + + Past month Softer Substances + + + Past month Used At School Easy To Get Drugs + + + + + +
Rastor@usc.edu Thank You!
Additional Links to Resources https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/21/opinions/guns-in-schools-opinion-astor/index.html https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2018/03/07/590877717/experts-say-here-s-how-to-prevent-the-next-school-shooting https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/how-our-nations-schools-could-help-students-in-an_us_5a3777c3e4b0e1b4472ae7ed https://curry.virginia.edu/prevent-gun-violence https://centerx.gseis.ucla.edu/reducing-the-threat-of-gun-violence-and-promoting-school-safety-through-connectedness- community-and-support-ron-avi-astor/ https://casel.org/ https://www.schoolclimate.org/ https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/national-commission-on-social-emotional-and-academic-development/ Welcoming practices: Creating schools that support students and families in transition. https://goo.gl/S9a1XP (discount code ASFLYQ6) Mapping and monitoring bullying and violence: Building a safe school climate. https://goo.gl/XUFB1M (discount code ASFLYQ6) http://www.aera.net/Education-Research/Issues-and-Initiatives/Bullying-Prevention-and-School-Safety/Bullying-Prevention
Chart 7.2. School-Level Suicidal Ideation by Severe Victimization at School
Chart 7.3. School-Level Suicidal Ideation by Weapon Involvement at School
Chart 7.4. School-Level Ideation by Percentage of Students Receiving Free and Reduced-Price Lunch
School Victimization: Percentages of "at Least Once" During the Last 12 Months for Total Secondary Consortium by Military Connectedness and Year Nonmilitary Military-Connected Victimization Last 12 Months at Least Once 2011 2013 2015 2017 2011 2013 2015 2017 Been pushed, shoved, slapped, hit or kicked by someone who wasn't just kidding around at school 27.6 24.2 23.5 20.8 35.7 31.2 27.2 28.3 Been afraid of being beaten up at school 16.7 16.0 16.1 13.9 25.7 22.4 20.8 18.1 Been in a physical fight at school 18.4 15.3 13.5 10.3 24.8 19.9 16.8 16.4 Had mean rumors or lies spread about you at school Had sexual jokes, comments, or gestures made to you at school 39.8 35.0 36.8 34.0 44.8 43.1 39.0 43.4 45.2 39.0 38.4 32.4 51.4 45.9 44.7 41.9 Been made fun of because of your looks or the way you talk at school 36.6 34.4 36.6 32.0 44.7 42.2 39.1 40.3 Had your property stolen or deliberately damaged, such as your car, clothing, or books at school 24.7 21.3 19.6 16.9 31.8 26.9 25.2 23.5 Has anyone offered, sold or given you an illegal drug on school property 30.2 23.7 20.5 16.5 32.5 23.9 20.3 19.5 Have you damaged school property on purpose 12.5 9.8 8.6 6.2 16.6 11.1 9.1 8.2
Percentages of Lifetime Smoking or Using Substances for Total Secondary Consortium by Military Connectedness and Year Nonmilitary Military-Connected Smoking and Substance Lifetime 2011 2013 2015 2017 2011 2013 2015 2017 Smoked a whole cigarette 21.0 16.3 12.2 8.4 21.0 15.7 15.0 9.5 Used smokeless tobacco (chew or snuff) 8.1 6.5 5.4 3.2 10.0 6.6 8.1 4.0 Had at least one drink of alcohol 43.7 37.7 32.5 26.1 40.8 33.5 33.9 25.7 Used marijuana 29.4 25.8 22.6 18.4 27.7 23.5 21.9 17.8 Used inhalants 14.0 10.9 8.0 4.9 16.4 10.5 10.9 6.1 Used diet pills1 6.2 5.3 7.8 5.9 8.3 6.2 12.0 8.5 Used Ritalin or Adderall or other prescription stimulant1 7.4 5.7 8.2 5.8 9.9 6.7 12.0 8.5 Been very drunk or sick after drinking alcohol? 26.3 21.6 17.4 12.9 25.9 20.1 18.6 12.3 Been high from using drugs? 27.2 22.8 19.7 15.5 26.7 21.0 21.3 16.1
Percentages of total secondary (middle and high school) consortium Involvement with Weapons in School at Least Once in the Past 12 Months by Military Connectedness and Year Nonmilitary Military-Connected 2011 2013 2015 2017 2011 2013 2015 2017 At least Once on School Property in the Past 12 Months Carry a gun on school property 3.8 3.2 2.9 1.7 7.6 4.8 4.8 4.1 Carry a weapon such as knife or club 8.0 7.3 6.6 5.0 12.1 9.1 9.8 8.0 Been threatened or injured with a weapon such as a gun, knife, or club at school 7.5 6.5 6.1 4.2 12.3 7.9 8.2 9.8 Seen someone carrying a gun, knife, or other weapon at school 26.0 21.1 20.0 15.7 30.3 24.2 22.7 21.6
Variation in Outcomes for by District for Middle Consortium Schools at Wave II, Wave III (near end of intervention), and Wave IV (three years after the intervention) Compared With Wave 1 (pre-intervention): Dividing indexed means Time 1 with Times II, III, and IV. Shifts over time in means for indexes on outcomes. District A MIDDLE III District B MIDDLE III District C MIDDLE III II IV II IV II IV School Belongingness School Adult Support School Participation Feeling of safety Moderate victimization Severe violence involvement Weapon involvement Discrimination victimization Gang member Life cigarette Life alcohol Life marijuana Life Soft Drugs Life Drunk High Past month cigarette Past month alcohol Past month marijuana Past month Soft stuff Past month Used At School Easy To Get Drugs
Variation in Outcomes for by District for High School Consortium Schools at Wave II, Wave III (near end of intervention), and Wave IV (three years after the intervention) Compared With Wave 1 (pre-intervention): Dividing indexed means Time 1 with Times II, III, and IV. Shifts over time in means for indexes on outcomes District D HIGH I-III District E High I-III District F High I-III District G High I-III I-II I-IV I-II I-IV I-II I-IV I-II I-IV School Belongingness School Adult Support School Participation Feeling of safety Moderate victimization Severe violence involvement Weapon involvement Discrimination victimization Gang member Life cigarette Life alcohol Life marijuana Life Soft stuff Life Drunk High Past month cigarette Past month alcohol Past month marijuana Past month Soft stuff Past month Used At School Easy To Get Drugs
