A Comprehensive Study of School Climate, Discipline, and Safety in New York City

• In Event: Exploring the Individual, School and Community Level Factors and the Interactions between Them that Contribute to School Safety

Abstract

As the first-ever comprehensive study of school climate, discipline, and safety in New York City, this study employed a rigorous mixed-method design with two research strategies: (1) a comprehensive quantitative analysis analyzing the effects of variations in neighborhood context; school structure and population characteristics; personal student characteristics; school climate and culture; security measures; positive interventions; and other safety practices and outcomes; and (2) in-depth case studies in five schools using alternatives to suspension to explore on-the-ground implementation lessons. The quantitative analysis allows us to examine the intersecting effects of neighborhood-, school-, and individual-level factors on school disciplinary outcomes/use of suspension; formal justice involvement; and academic outcomes. The qualitative findings highlight school safety, climate and culture, especially experiences with existing security measures; experiences and feedback about alternative approaches, including whole school approaches, prevention programs, guidance interventions and restorative approaches; how other schools might succeed in implementing similar practices. This study helps fill a gap in the scholarly literature on “what works” and has important implications for educators and justice policymakers nationwide.

Authors

• Lama Hassoun Ayoub, Center for Court Innovation

• Josephine Hahn, Center for Court Innovation