(from EdWeek) U.S. schools have significantly increased security measures and preparation for events like school shootings in the last 20 years, the newest federal data show. Meanwhile, rates of student victimization at school have continued to decline, fewer students have brought weapons to school, and fewer students report fear of harm in school, according to a report released Thursday. Between 1992-93 and 2014-15, youth homicides occurring at school were less than 3 percent of all youth homicides, and youth suicides at school were less than 1 percent of all youth suicides.
Also from the report: Fewer students report having access to an unlocked gun in the most recent data, and, contrary to popular perception, rates of violent deaths at school have not trended significantly upward in recent years. Since the 1999 shooting at Columbine High School (a touchstone for school safety debates), schools have significantly stepped up security measures. The portion of schools that reported having a plan for school shooting response increased from 79 percent in 2003-04 to 92 percent in 2015-16. More schools reported controlled access to buildings, the use of security cameras and requiring staff to wear photo IDs.
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