School Violence: Data & Statistics

The first step in preventing school violence is to understand the extent and nature of the problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of Justice gather and analyze data from a variety of sources to gain a more complete understanding of school violence.

Fact Sheets

• Understanding School Violence Fact Sheet  [PDF 254 KB]
  This fact sheet provides an overview of school violence.
• Behaviors that Contribute to Violence on School Property [PDF 92k]
  This fact sheet illustrates the trends in violence-related behaviors among youth as assessed by CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS). YRBSS monitors health risk behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death and disability among young people in the United States, including violence.
• Understanding Youth Violence  [PDF 313KB]
  This fact sheet provides an overview of youth violence.
• Youth Violence: Facts at a Glance  [PDF 128KB]
  This fact sheet provides up-to-date data and statistics on youth violence.

Data Sources             

• Indicators of School Crime and Safety
  CDC contributes to the Department of Education's annual report on school crime and student safety. This report provides the most recent data available from many independent sources.
• School Associated Violent Death Study
  Since 1992, CDC has collaborated with the Departments of Education and Justice to monitor school-associated violent deaths at the national level. Information is collected from media databases, police, and school officials. A case is defined as a fatal injury (e.g., homicide or suicide) that occurs (1) on school property; (2) on the way to/from school; or (3) during or on the way to/from a school sponsored event. Only violent deaths associated with U.S. elementary and secondary schools are included. Data obtained in this study have identified trends and helped to inform preventive measures.
• School Health Policies and Programs Study
  The School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) is the largest, most comprehensive assessment of school health policies and programs. It is conducted at state, district, school, and four classroom levels across the country. The CDC-sponsored study provides data to help improve school health policies and programs. SHPPS is conducted every six years; the first administration was in 1994 and the most recent, in 2006. The study assesses eight components of school health programs at the elementary, middle/junior, and senior high school levels that are related to adolescent risk behaviors, including violence. These components are health education; physical education; health services; mental health and social services; school policy and environment; food services; faculty and staff health promotion; and family and community involvement.
• Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System
  CDC monitors risk behaviors, such as violence, that contribute to the leading causes of death among youth in the United States. CDC administers a nationwide survey every two years in public and private high schools so investigators can examine behaviors related to fighting, weapon carrying, bullying, dating and sexual violence, and suicide.
• Youth Violence National and State Statistics at a Glance
  This web site provides statistics that illustrate trends and patterns in youth violence. Users will find national and state-level data on youth homicide, nonfatal assaults, and violent crime arrests.

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. School-associated student homicides—United States, 1992–2006. MMWR 2008;57(02):33–36.