The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) have released the Report on Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2022. This report highlights select findings from 23 indicators related to crime and safety on elementary, secondary, and postsecondary campuses to provide stakeholders with an overview of the state of safety in American schools. Topics covered include different types of victimization among teachers and students such as violent deaths, school shootings, and bullying. School environment, security practices, preparedness plans, and the availability of mental health services to students are also discussed in the report.

The report indicates that while overall crime has decreased compared to previous years, cyberbullying and certain student discipline problems (e.g. student verbal abuse of teachers) have increased in elementary and secondary schools. While the rate of crime on postsecondary campuses has also seen a decline from 2010 to 2020, the rate of forcible sex offenses has increase from 1.9 to 6.6 incidents per 10,000 students.

While many schools have implemented safety policies and procedures to address ever-shifting challenges to safety and security on their campuses, the report highlights the need for continuous improvement and multi-faceted approaches to decrease crime and improve school safety. School administration, law enforcement, families, and communities must work collaboratively to create secure learning environments for all students.

For more information, check out HSDL’s In Focus on School Violence, and additional topics related to school crime.