The Benefits, Risks, and Challenges of Get-Tough and Support-Oriented Approaches to Improving School Safety

• NCJ Number: 254732
• Journal: Criminal Justice Policy Review Volume: 30 Issue: 9 Dated: 2018 Pages: 1342-1367
• Author(s): Daniel P. Mears; Andrea N. Montes; Nicole L. Collier; Sonja E. Siennick; George B. Pesta; Samantha J. Brown; Thomas G. Blomberg
• Date Published: 2018
• Length: 26 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2014-CK-BX-0018
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Description
• Award: School/Justice Partnership Project to research the expansion of a school-based intervention to increase school safety while reducing delinquency referrals and improving student outcomes.

Annotation

Since schools have adopted get-tough policies and support-oriented policies, each of which creates not only potential benefits but also potential risks for youth delinquency and education, this study identified potential benefits and risks of get-tough approaches and support-oriented approaches, respectively, to reduce student delinquency.

Abstract

The study also identified challenges that can arise when schools seek to balance both get-tough and support-oriented policies. These challenges are illustrated by drawing on prior scholarship related to these policies, as well as a process evaluation of a large metropolitan school district's pilot initiative to promote school safety and academic performance by assisting court-involved youth. Based on its findings, the study argues for developing a stronger empirical foundation for school-based approaches for improving school safety and educational outcomes for students. 1 table and 113 references (publisher abstract modified)