Chapter 8
A Brief History of American Education
Education in the nineteenth century as an instrument of social control.
Aimed at solving problems such as crime, poverty, and immigration.
Chaotic and violent school environments commonplace during this period.
Teachers struggled with unruly children using both novel and brutal methods.
School relationships and experiences are highly predictive of delinquency.
Major Issues American Schools Have Faced
Schools faced various challenges through different historical periods, shaped by sociopolitical changes.
School Crime
School crime is a significant concern in junior and senior high schools nationwide.
Manifestations include vandalism, violence, drug trafficking, and gang activity.
Findings from Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2022 Report (1 of 3)
Violent Deaths: Between July 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019, there were 39 school-associated violent deaths (29 homicides, 10 suicides).
School Shootings: 93 incidents with casualties during the 2020–2021 school year (50 deaths, 43 injuries).
Nonfatal Victimization: In 2020, students aged 12-18 experienced 285,400 nonfatal crimes at school; compared to 749,400 nonfatal crimes in 2016.
Findings from Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2022 Report (2 of 3)
Teacher Victimization: 11% of elementary teachers reported being threatened by students compared to 9% of secondary teachers.
School Environment: 77% of public schools recorded crime incidents in 2019-2020; 22% reported bullying occurrences.
Findings from Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2022 Report (3 of 3)
Cyberbullying: 16% of students (ages 12-18) reported being cyberbullied during the school year.
The percentage of students afraid of attack at school decreased from 12% (1995) to 3% (2015), but rose to 5% in 2019.
School Shootings
Defined as incidents where a gun is used on school property.
Includes gang-related, domestic shootings, and situations irrespective of school sessions.
Vandalism and Violence
Creating a safe learning atmosphere is crucial, yet many schools resemble prisons due to security measures.
Despite perceptions, schools may be safer than other environments for children.
School Bullying (1 of 2)
Definition: Bullying involves intimidating behaviors to gain compliance and instill fear in weaker individuals.
Behaviors may be direct (e.g., teasing, hitting) or indirect (e.g., social isolation).
School Bullying (2 of 2)
Victims of bullying might retaliate by bullying others.
Patterns of physical bullying peak in middle school; verbal bullying remains constant.
Cyberbullying
Involving technology for harassment; can result in lasting psychological effects.
May lead to severe outcomes like depression and suicide.
Bullying and Suicide
Suicide ranks among the leading causes of death for children under 14 years.
"Bullycide" refers to suicide that results from bullying, with LGBTQ+ teens at higher risk.
Bullying
Revenge for bullying is a significant motivation behind school shootings.
Students with disabilities are more likely to be labeled as bullies or victims.
Black youths often underreport their experiences as bullying victims.
Bullying Fact Sheet (1 of 3)
Definition: Unwanted aggressive behavior typically characterized by a power imbalance.
May include physical, verbal, or social aggression.
Bullying can be perpetrated through electronic means (cyberbullying).
Bullying Fact Sheet (2 of 3)
Risk factors for engaging in or experiencing bullying include:
For bullies: Deviant behaviors, harsh parenting, acceptance of violence.
For victims: Poor peer relationships, low self-esteem, perceived differences.
Bullying Fact Sheet (3 of 3)
Prevention Strategies: Aim to stop bullying before it begins.
Implement school rules, whole school anti-bullying policies, and promote cooperation among staff and parents.
Delinquency and School Failure
Factors linked to delinquency include:
Low academic performance, low social status, and dropping out.
Theoretical Perspectives on School and Delinquency
Schools often identified as factors contributing to delinquent behavior through various theories.
Theoretical Perspectives on School and Delinquency (1 of 2)
Blocked Opportunity Theory: Poor performing students are likely to commit delinquent acts.
Strain Theory: Schools reflect community characteristics; lower-class children feel status frustration.
Cultural Deviance Theory: High-crime area schools increase delinquent peer associations.
Social Control Theory: Schools facilitate bonding; weak bonds may lead to delinquency.
Theoretical Perspectives on School and Delinquency (2 of 2)
Labeling Theory: Deviant labels influence students to adopt deviant roles.
Radical Criminology: Schools maintain power dynamics favoring privileged classes.
General Theory of Crime: Self-control influences delinquent behaviors.
Interactional Theory: Delinquency weakens familial and school bonds, leading to increased delinquency.
School Students' Rights
Schools derive authority from:
In Loco Parentis: Guardian-like authority.
State-enabling statutes: Grant local boards the power to enforce rules.
Summary of Landmark Cases and Students' Rights (1 of 3)
Dixon v. Alabama State Board of Education (1961): Ensured due process in student expulsion cases.
Tinker v. Des Moines (1969): Protected students' right to free speech regarding political expression.
Bethel School District v. Fraser (1986): Upheld punishment for lewd speech undermining education.
Summary of Landmark Cases and Students' Rights (2 of 3)
West Virginia Board v. Barnette (1943): Protected children's religious rights in flag salutation.
Yoo v. Moynihan (1969): Recognized privacy rights in a student's hair styling.
New Jersey v. T.L.O. (1985): Allowed school searches with reasonable suspicion of rule violations.
Summary of Landmark Cases and Students' Rights (3 of 3)
Vernonia School District v. Acton (1995): Approved random drug testing for student athletes.
Board of Education v. Earls (2002): Upheld drug testing for students involved in extracurricular activities.
School Discipline
Schools must maintain a safe environment for effective learning; discipline measures may include:
Security protocols, corporal punishment, out-of-school suspensions, expulsions.
Factors Involved in Dropping Out of School (1 of 2)
High school dropout rates are critical; about 5 million young adults lack diplomas.
Common causes include academic failure, disinterest, behavioral issues, and life events.
Factors Involved in Dropping Out of School (2 of 2)
Dropouts earn significantly less over their lifetimes compared to graduates; many end up reliant on welfare or in the criminal justice system.
Intervention Strategies to Improve Schools
Key strategies include:
Mentoring programs, school-community relationship improvements, and violence-prevention initiatives.
Reduction of the Crime-Control Model in Public Schools
Despite declining delinquency, increased formal social control has emerged over the past two decades, leading to harsher discipline practices.
The Role of the School Resource Officer
Essential figures in managing school discipline and enhancing safety.