Summary
- • Over 1.2 million violent crimes occur on school property each year.
- • 20% of high school students in the United States report being bullied at school.
- • Schools reported 2,366,000 crimes involving violence in 2020.
- • 6.5% of students in U.S. public schools reported being threatened or injured with a weapon on school property in 2020.
- • 79% of public schools in the U.S. recorded at least one incident of violence, theft, or other crimes in 2019-2020.
- • 9% of high school students have reported being physically harmed by a teacher or other school staff.
- • Approximately 1 in 5 children in the U.S. have experienced bullying.
- • 22% of students ages 12-18 reported being bullied at school during the school year in 2019.
- • In the 2017-2018 school year, 33 school-associated violent deaths occurred in the U.S.
- • 15% of high school students in the U.S. reported being cyberbullied in 2020.
- • 56% of students in the U.S. have witnessed bullying at school.
- • School bullying rates are higher for LGBTQ+ students, with 64% feeling unsafe at school.
- • 39% of students in grades 9-12 reported being in a physical fight in the last year in 2020.
- • 11% of teachers in the U.S. have reported being threatened with injury by a student.
- • Only 17% of students who have been bullied report it.
School may be a place for learning, but with over 1.2 million violent crimes taking place on school property each year, it seems like some students are majoring in mayhem. From cyberbullying to physical altercations, the hallways of education have become a battleground for too many. In a nation where 56% of students witness bullying and 39% have been in a physical fight in the last year, its clear that the school bell isnt the only thing ringing alarm bells these days. Dive into the alarming statistics and realities of school safety in the U.S., where the only equation that seems to add up is potential trouble around every corner.
Bullying and harassment
- 20% of high school students in the United States report being bullied at school.
- Approximately 1 in 5 children in the U.S. have experienced bullying.
- 22% of students ages 12-18 reported being bullied at school during the school year in 2019.
- 15% of high school students in the U.S. reported being cyberbullied in 2020.
- 56% of students in the U.S. have witnessed bullying at school.
- School bullying rates are higher for LGBTQ+ students, with 64% feeling unsafe at school.
- Only 17% of students who have been bullied report it.
- 23% of students ages 12-18 reported being bullied online in 2019.
- 33% of students in the U.S. ages 12-18 reported being cyberbullied during the school year in 2020.
- In 2020, 9.1% of students ages 12-18 reported being electronically bullied during the school year.
- 20% of high school students in the U.S. have experienced some form of bullying.
- In the 2018-2019 school year, 31% of students ages 12-18 reported being bullied at school.
- Approximately 71% of teachers in the U.S. have witnessed bullying in their schools.
- 1 in 5 students in the U.S. have experienced bullying.
- 50% of high school students have experienced sexual harassment at school.
- An estimated 1 in 10 students will drop out of school due to being bullied.
- In 2020, 30% of students ages 12-18 reported being bullied at school.
- 12% of high school students in the U.S. have been cyberbullied.
- 22% of students in the U.S. have experienced some form of online harassment.
- 33.1% of students in grades 9-12 were electronically bullied in the 12 months before the survey.
- 1 in 3 students report being bullied in school every month.
- 59% of students in grades 9-12 experienced peer victimization in 2019.
- 27.6% of students reported being bullied at school during the school year in 2020.
Interpretation
In a statistical landscape where the numbers paint a troubling picture of school safety, it becomes evident that the hallways of education are not always the sanctuaries of learning they should be. With percentages and figures that seem to rise with each passing year, the harsh reality of bullying and harassment within our educational institutions cannot be ignored. From the silent suffering of LGBTQ+ students to the pervasive nature of cyberbullying, the data speaks volumes about the pressing need for comprehensive measures to ensure the well-being of our youth. Perhaps the most alarming statistic of all is not just the number of students who have endured these experiences but the staggering percentage of those who choose to suffer in silence, highlighting the imperative for open dialogue, empathy, and effective intervention strategies. As we navigate through these disheartening figures, it is clear that the essence of a safe and nurturing learning environment demands a collective effort to combat the shadows that threaten to overshadow the potential and promise of our future generations.
School shootings
- In the 2017-2018 school year, 33 school-associated violent deaths occurred in the U.S.
- On average, there are 10 school shootings per year in the U.S.
- The primary motive for school shootings in the U.S. is retaliation or revenge.
- School shootings in the U.S. have increased from an average of 6 per year in the 2000s to about 16 per year in recent years.
- In the 2019-2020 school year, there were 18 incidents of school-associated violent deaths in the U.S.
Interpretation
As the numbers continue to climb like a determined student trying to reach the top of the class, the grim reality of school safety in the United States unfolds before our eyes. With a curriculum that seems to unfortunately include revenge and retaliation as primary motives for violence, one cannot help but wonder if we are failing the test when it comes to protecting our youth. The sharp increase in school shootings over the years paints a picture of a system in need of serious revisions – perhaps it's time for us to do some extra credit on prevention and intervention strategies before the final bell tolls once more.
Student behavior and misconduct
- 39% of students in grades 9-12 reported being in a physical fight in the last year in 2020.
- 11% of teachers in the U.S. have reported being threatened with injury by a student.
- 20% of high school students in the U.S. indicate they have seriously considered suicide in 2019.
- 36% of students in grades 9-12 have experienced physical fighting in the past year.
- 4% of students have been in a physical fight at least once in the last 12 months.
Interpretation
These statistics paint a disturbing picture of the challenges facing our education system, with a significant percentage of students engaging in physical violence and grappling with mental health issues like suicidal ideation. The fact that a sizable portion of teachers have reported being threatened with injury further underscores the urgent need for improved school safety measures and better support for both students and educators. These numbers should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers and school administrators to prioritize the well-being and security of everyone within the school community, before these alarming trends become entrenched realities.
Student safety and security
- 6.5% of students in U.S. public schools reported being threatened or injured with a weapon on school property in 2020.
- 79% of public schools in the U.S. recorded at least one incident of violence, theft, or other crimes in 2019-2020.
- 9% of high school students have reported being physically harmed by a teacher or other school staff.
- 6.6% of high school students in the U.S. reported being threatened or injured with a weapon on school property in 2020.
- About 57% of students ages 12-18 reported seeing hate-related graffiti at school in 2020.
- 3.3% of students in grades 9-12 reported carrying a weapon on school property in 2020.
- 44% of students in the U.S. report feeling unsafe at school due to being bullied.
- In 2020, 4.9% of students were threatened or injured with a weapon on school property.
- 65.4% of students ages 12-18 report seeing hate-related graffiti at school.
- The percentage of students wearing a seatbelt rose from 1991 to 2019 from 25% to 90%.
- 13% of students in grades 9-12 reported carrying a weapon on school property in the last 30 days in 2020.
Interpretation
In a world where the evolution of student safety seems to resemble a rollercoaster ride of alarming statistics, it's a wonder that school hallways haven't turned into obstacle courses. With a backdrop of threats, violence, and graffiti that would make a hardened criminal blush, it seems the only crime on the decline is forgetting to buckle up for the ride. As students navigate this tumultuous landscape of school life, one thing is crystal clear: safety concerns are not just on the syllabus, they're etched into the very DNA of the contemporary educational experience. Let's hope that soon the only weapons students are wielding are pens and the only graffiti they're exposed to are the colorful musings of creativity, rather than hate.
Violent crimes on school premises
- Over 1.2 million violent crimes occur on school property each year.
- Schools reported 2,366,000 crimes involving violence in 2020.
- School-based homicides in the U.S. have decreased from an average of 29 per year in the 1990s to about 10 per year in recent years.
- Schools in the U.S. reported 70,000 robberies in 2020.
- 22% of LGBTQ+ students in the U.S. have been physically assaulted at school in the past year.
- 6.6% of students were involved in a physical fight on school property in 2020.
Interpretation
In a society where pencils are mightier than swords, it is disheartening to uncover the abyss of over 1.2 million violent crimes lurking in the hallways of learning each year. While school-based homicides have seen a drop in numbers, the jarring reality of 2,366,000 violence-related crimes reported in 2020 remains a stark reminder of the turbulent atmosphere some students face on a daily basis. From a decrease in life-threatening incidents to a rise in robberies, the juxtaposition of statistics paints a complex picture of safety within educational institutions. A poignant call to action echoes through these numbers, urging us to cultivate a culture of respect and security where the only fights happen over algebra problems, not physical altercations.
