What Schools Do to Prevent Problem Behavior and Promote Safe Environments

Authors:
  • GGGary D. Gottfredson
    Gary D. Gottfredson
  • DGDenise C. Gottfredson
    Denise C. Gottfredson
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Abstract
This article reports results from a survey conducted in a probability sample of U.S. public, private, and Catholic schools to obtain information about the nature and extent of activity to prevent problem behavior. Principals of 848 schools (66%) completed an initial questionnaire to identify prevention activities and arrangements; principals of 635 schools (50%) completed a second questionnaire to describe discipline practices. Results imply that schools engage in a large number of activities ranging from security and surveillance, through school climate change, to counseling and curricular or instructional programs. Most schools have strict rules about dangerous behaviors. Suspension is used extensively to respond to student misconduct, yet many schools fail to use the full range of available responses to desirable and undesirable behavior, and the consistency of responses is not always high. There is room for improvement in the area of school discipline management, but making rules stricter or increasin...

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