Executive Summary

While the crime rate in our nation’s schools has decreased since 1992, violent crime in schools still remains an issue. According to a recent study released by the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics and the United States Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, the percentage of students who were victims of a physical fight decreased but the percentage of students injured or threatened with a weapon such as a gun, knife, or club remains high. In fact, the frequency of violent crime resulting in tragedy has schools and communities across the country looking for new strategies to keep their students safe. For this reason, on November 7, 2002, Congressman Sam Johnson convened the student-led Safe Schools Summit 2002 at Southfork Ranch in Parker, Texas. Safe Schools Summit 2002 gave 300 students, from 20 high schools and community organizations the opportunity to discuss their opinions on effects, both physical and mental, that lead to violence in their schools. The purpose of the summit was to hear directly from the students on what it means to be safe in school.

The day’s activities featured personal statements from four students describing their experiences and feelings regarding safety in their schools. Additionally, students
participated in interactive “Table talk, Call out, and Voting” sessions, which enabled the students to debate with and listen to one another on a variety of issues regarding safety in their schools, as well as discuss specific steps that could be taken to prevent substance abuse problems in school. The session covered a variety of issues including: effective discipline policies, adult communication with students, drug and substance abuse problems, parental involvement, peer pressure and security measures such as police surveillance in the schools where students feel threatened or unsafe. Students also voiced their opinions on numerous questions utilizing the wireless audience response system, eFORUM, that enabled them to register opinions on safety issues instantly and anonymously.

Student Session Key Findings

Safety in schools is not just about physical safety but also about emotional safety.

The elements of a positive school atmosphere include:

• Trusting relationships between teachers and students,

• Communication between teachers and students in all areas,

• Effective discipline polices

• Parental involvement and authoritative adult presence were factors in feeling safe at school.

Download the full report