Research Article/PaperBeam, John M., Chase Madar and Deinya Phenix, "Life without Lockdown: Do Peaceful Schools Require High-Profile Policing?," Voices in Urban Education, Number 19 (Spring 2008).
This article presents profiles of six high schools in New York City that have positive school climates and extremely low rates of violent incidents. Each of the schools has achieved this climate without using metal detectors or relying on punitive, zero-tolerance measures. The article identifies lessons learned from the shared values and practices across the six schools. All of the schools have made a commitment to creating a positive school culture which includes a conscious decision to trust students to behave responsibly, and each school has clear and simple rules for behavior, formed with some student input. Reflecting this culture, none of the schools have metal detectors and faculty explicitly want to keep metal detectors out despite pressure from the central district office. Each school has a principal who has established authority over the security personnel (or School Safety Agents) in the building and defines their role and standards for behavior. The schools have a clear delineation of responsibilities between faculty who are responsible for disciplinary issues and School Safety Agents who are responsible only for “bona fide safety concerns.” There is also strong leadership from senior School Safety Agents who have worked in the school system for many years. The schools also maintain constant communication between school staff and School Safety Agents and integrate security personnel into the school community through meetings and community events.
Relevant Link: http://www.annenberginstitute.org/VUE/spring08/Beam.php
