Meghan Hodges
Crime and violence in schools are prominent issues that have attracted considerable research interest due to their complex social factors and impact on student safety and well-being. School crime encompasses violent incidents, serious violent incidents, theft, and other incidents such as drug and weapon possession. While media reports often suggest an increase in school violence, statistics indicate a decline in serious violent victimizations among students. However, youth violence is evolving, and schools are exposed to various environmental health hazards, including air pollution, which negatively impact students' health and academic performance. Nearly 8,000 US public schools are located near busy roads, increasing pollution exposure and contributing to health risks. Addressing school crime and its root causes is crucial for creating safer educational environments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Crime and violence in schools | A complex and multifaceted issue that significantly impacts students' safety and well-being |
| Youth homicides in schools | Account for less than 3% of total youth homicides |
| Serious violent victimizations among students | Have declined substantially over the past decade |
| Contributing factors to school violence | Exposure to domestic violence, socio-economic challenges, media portrayals of violence, and access to weapons |
| Bullying | A significant issue with lasting negative effects on both victims and aggressors |
| Theft or larceny | Taking things worth over $10 without personal confrontation |
| Violent incidents | Physical attacks or fights without a weapon, threat of physical attacks with or without a weapon, rape or attempted rape, sexual assault other than rape, physical attacks or fights with a weapon, robbery with or without a weapon |
| Other incidents | Possession of a firearm or explosive device, possession of a knife or sharp object, distribution or use of illegal drugs or alcohol, vandalism |
| Student perceptions of safety | In 2019, about 5% of students ages 12-18 reported that they had been afraid of attack or harm at school, higher than the percentage who reported the same away from school (3%) |
| Environmental health hazards around schools | Neglected by researchers and analysts, despite the susceptibility of children to the effects of chemical hazards |
| School-based exposure to hazardous air pollutants | Associated with lower aggregate school-level standardized test scores, likely due to increased respiratory illnesses and/or impaired cognitive development |
| Proximity to polluting facilities | A significant portion of the top 100 polluting facilities for developmental toxics are located near multiple schools |
| Effects of air pollution on children | Stunted lung growth, triggered asthma attacks, contributed to heart disease, raised risk of cancer, potentially harmed children's ability to learn and impacted brain health |
| Initiatives to address air pollution | Installation of high-grade air filters, deployment of pollution-trapping plants, implementation of federal incentives |
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What You'll Learn
Air pollution near schools
The location of a school plays a crucial role in children's exposure to air pollution. Schools situated near busy roadways or industrial facilities can expose students to traffic-related air pollution or hazardous industrial emissions. In some cases, the decision to locate schools in cleaner, less accessible areas may inadvertently increase pollution exposure during school commutes, especially when school bus transportation is required.
Several strategies can be implemented to reduce air pollution exposure near schools. These include idle reduction policies, adopting clean school bus fleets, and improving indoor air quality (IAQ) through comprehensive management programs. Additionally, programs like the Clean School Bus National Idle Reduction Campaign and the use of brightly colored flags based on the U.S. EPA's Air Quality Index (AQI) can help educate and protect students from the harmful effects of air pollution.
It is important to recognize that air pollution near schools is not just an environmental issue but also a social justice concern. In the United States, for example, a significant number of the top 100 polluting facilities for developmental toxins are located close to multiple schools. This disproportionately affects minority and low-income communities, exacerbating health and educational disparities.
Addressing air pollution near schools requires a multifaceted approach involving policymakers, school administrators, and community members. By prioritizing air quality improvements and implementing mitigation strategies, we can create healthier learning environments for students and staff, ultimately improving academic performance and long-term health outcomes.
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Academic performance and health impacts
School-based environmental health hazards are a serious problem that has been neglected by researchers and analysts. Nearly 600 million children attend primary school worldwide, and they are highly susceptible to the effects of chemical hazards due to heavy exposures. Children consume more air and food per unit of body weight than adults, and their long future lifetimes mean that early insults can manifest as adult diseases.
Several studies have demonstrated that higher school-level pollution is associated with lower aggregate school-level standardized test scores. This is likely related to increased respiratory illnesses and/or impaired cognitive development. For example, in California, hazardous air pollutant (HAP) risks were negative and statistically significant predictors of lower standardized test scores. A similar association was found in a study in Sacramento, California, between school-level PM2.5 and aggregate academic performance.
In addition to the physical health impacts of school pollution, there are also mental health considerations. Exposure to violence and crime at school can lead to feelings of fear and vulnerability among students. A safe and supportive school climate can help to mitigate the negative effects of exposure to violence and crime on students' mental health and academic performance.
The literature shows that community violence and an unsafe school climate can be detrimental to students' academic success. Middle school students exposed to violent crime who attend schools that are less safe or have a weak sense of community score lower on tests. However, students attending the safest schools with the strongest sense of community suffer no visible reduction in test performance when exposed to violent crime, suggesting that school climate can insulate students from the negative effects of neighborhood violence.
Overall, the physical and mental health impacts of school-based environmental health hazards can have significant effects on academic performance. More research and attention are needed to address these issues and mitigate their impacts on children's health and development.
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Violent crime and safety
The types of violent incidents that occur in schools vary and can include physical attacks, fights (with or without weapons), sexual assaults, robberies, and even shootings. These incidents can have both immediate and long-term impacts on the students involved, affecting their sense of safety and security and potentially leading to psychological and emotional trauma.
Research has shown that exposure to violence in schools can negatively impact academic performance. For example, a study examining the relationship between school climate and neighbourhood crime found that middle school students exposed to neighbourhood violent crime who attended schools perceived to be less safe had significantly lower test scores in English language arts. Similarly, a decline in test scores has been associated with exposure to community violence, with schools playing a moderating role in insulating students from the full impact of such exposure.
The prevalence of violent incidents in schools is concerning, and various measures are being implemented to enhance school safety. These measures include the installation of metal detectors, the presence of security guards or School Resource Officers (SROs), and the implementation of rules and regulations regarding student conduct and dress. Additionally, schools are adopting anti-bullying instructional programs, counselling services, and mediation practices to address different forms of violence proactively and reactively.
While these measures aim to improve physical safety, creating a psychologically safe school climate is equally important. This involves fostering an environment where students and staff feel protected and supported. However, the effectiveness of these programs is often uncertain, and administrators face challenges in selecting the most suitable approaches due to limited data and resources.
In conclusion, violent crime and safety in schools is a pressing issue that requires a comprehensive approach. By implementing a range of measures, from physical security enhancements to psychological support programs, schools can strive to create a safer environment for students. However, ongoing evaluation and evidence-based decision-making are necessary to ensure the effectiveness of these efforts in mitigating the impact of violent incidents on students' lives and academic performance.
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Student perceptions of safety
While I could not find specific information on "school polluting crime", I did find information on school crime and school-based exposure to hazardous air pollutants. I also found information on student perceptions of safety in university campuses.
Students' perceptions of safety in their learning environment are influenced by various factors, and these perceptions can vary significantly among individuals. For instance, in a study of 196 university students in South China, half of the participants reported feeling safe on campus, while the other half's perception of safety depended on factors such as individual characteristics, frequency of use, and daily experiences.
Campus security measures, such as lighting and the avoidance of certain locations during the day, are significant predictors of students' safety perceptions. Campuses with high Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) structures are associated with higher levels of perceived safety among students. On the other hand, security measures such as metal detectors may negatively impact students' sense of safety by reminding them of potential violence.
The presence of natural surveillance, such as pedestrian traffic, can also enhance the perceived safety of students, particularly women. Conversely, poor lighting and places to hide contribute to decreased feelings of safety due to a lack of surveillance.
In the context of K-12 schools, about 5% of students aged 12-18 reported that they had been afraid of attack or harm at school during the 2019 school year, which is higher than the percentage who reported similar fears away from school.
School Crime and Student Safety
School crime can take various forms, including violent incidents, serious violent incidents (such as rape or robbery), theft, and other incidents such as drug-related offences and vandalism. Exposure to violence and crime in schools can negatively impact students' academic performance and feelings of safety.
School-Based Exposure to Hazardous Air Pollutants
In addition to physical crimes, schools may also be affected by environmental health hazards, such as hazardous air pollutants. Nearly 600 million children attend primary school worldwide, and many are exposed to environmental hazards. Research has shown that higher levels of school-level pollution are associated with lower aggregate school-level standardized test scores, possibly due to increased respiratory illnesses and/or impaired cognitive development.
Thus, while I could not find specific information on "school polluting crime," the above information highlights the importance of student perceptions of safety and how various factors, including school crime and environmental hazards, can impact students' sense of safety and well-being.
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School climate and neighbourhood crime
School climate and a student's exposure to neighbourhood crime are closely related to academic performance. A school's climate is determined by how safe, orderly, and welcoming it is perceived to be. This perception can influence how students cope with traumatic events in their residential community.
A growing body of research shows that exposure to neighbourhood violence negatively affects academic performance, particularly among children living in high-crime neighbourhoods. Students who feel unsafe at school and in their neighbourhood experience substantial losses in test scores. This is especially true for boys and Hispanic students in the least safe schools.
In contrast, students attending schools perceived as the safest, least disorderly, or with the strongest sense of community are not affected by neighbourhood violent crime. These schools may protect students from the damaging effects of violence in their neighbourhoods. However, it is important to note that the direction of the relationship between school climate and neighbourhood crime is not always clear.
To better understand this relationship, researchers have analysed data from the New York City Department of Education and the New York City Police Department. They found that exposure to violence in the neighbourhood and a perceived unsafe climate at school led to lower test scores in English language arts (ELA). Middle school students who experienced neighbourhood violent crime before the ELA exam and attended schools with a weak sense of community scored significantly lower.
Additionally, school-based exposure to environmental health hazards, such as hazardous air pollutants, has been linked to lower aggregate school-level standardized test scores. Children are highly susceptible to the effects of chemical hazards due to heavy exposures, biologic sensitivity, and long future lifetimes for early insults to manifest as adult diseases.
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Frequently asked questions
School-based pollution refers to environmental health hazards that exist in and around schools. These can include proximity to busy roads, highways, and industrial facilities that emit hazardous air pollutants.
School-based pollution can have significant negative impacts on students' health and academic performance. Health risks include increased respiratory illnesses, impaired cognitive development, and a higher risk of cancer. Studies have also shown a link between higher levels of school-based pollution and lower standardised test scores.
Thousands of schools in the United States are located near major sources of pollution, such as highways and industrial facilities. For example, El Marino Language School in Culver City, California, is situated near Interstate 405, one of the nation's busiest highways.
Parents and communities can play an active role in advocating for pollution reduction measures, such as installing high-grade air filters and introducing pollution-trapping plants. Government agencies and school districts can also implement guidelines and provide funding for filtration systems in schools near pollution sources.
