Public School Principal Survey on Safe, Disciplined, and Drug-free Schools

Book excerpt: Findings from a principal survey on safety, discipline, and drug use prevention are presented in this report. A national questionnaire mailed to 884 public elementary and secondary school principals yielded 830 usable returns, a 94 percent response rate. Respondents were asked about the extent of discipline problems within their schools and the nature and effectiveness of their schools' current policies and drug education programs. Data are presented by instructional level, type of school location, enrollment size, region, and percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunches. After a list of definitions, 17 statistical tables illustrate the problems in schools, disciplinary actions, services and procedures, limitations to maintaining order and discipline, programs and policies, drug use education, and community support. Highlights of the findings include the following facts: (1) student alcohol use was considered a serious or moderate problem by 11 percent of all public school principals; (2) over 90 percent of public schools--both elementary and secondary--offer referrals to social services outside the school system for disruptive behavior; and (3) general discipline programs and policies were considered to be highly effective in reducing disruptive behavior by 33 percent of public school principals. Appendices contain standard error tables and the questionnaire. (LMI)