A description is presented of a research program on school vandalism. Many interrelated problems of school vandalism are discussed, and solutions are identified that have been applied in selected school systems. Deficiencies in attempts to control vandalism either through technological or other security means are highlighted. Also included is a…

One of 52 theoretical papers on school crime and its relation to poverty, this chapter states that youthful vandalism is a multidetermined problem that has its roots not simply in the personality of the vandal but also in interaction with peer, family, and community systems. The costs of vandalism are noted, and various intrapsychic and…

Discusses the types of vandalism and motivating forces behind vandalism, and makes suggestions for alleviating it. The author suggests that physical security measures are high-cost, low-yield items in terms of vandalism reduction. He argues for (1) the development of an information systems model to determine the effectiveness of various crime…

The increasing number of acts of senseless destruction in the schools are costing money--to repair the damage, and to protect the schools from further damage. Cites some possible reasons for the vandalism, and offers some suggestions for improving the problem. (Editor)

One of 52 theoretical papers on school crime and its relation to poverty, this chapter claims that considering school crime as primarily a manifestation of conduct disorder permits a better understanding of its nature, origin, and treatment. Research into the nature and origin of conduct disorder is discussed. Studies demonstrating successful…

One of 52 theoretical papers on school crime and its relation to poverty, this chapter contends that the Appalachian child has a set of values not yet understood by outsiders that influence behavior and lead to misbehavior that is not understood. Greater understanding of Appalachian values would assist observers in understanding that those…

Describes public school responses to crime and student delinquency in terms of behavioral expectations. The authors conclude that school discipline policies are often based more on the fear of violence, disruptive behavior, and unpredictable situations than on actual incidents. (AM)

A report of the British government's Central Policy Review Staff finds no reliable evidence that harsh punishment deters the vandal. It recommends that local authorities make buildings more vandal-proof and adults be encouraged to help deter and catch young offenders. (Author/SJL)

School violence and vandalism threatens to seriously hamper the ability of educational systems to carry out their primary function. Presents some shocking cases of school violence and vandalism and suggests some remedies for both. (Author/RK)

One of 52 theoretical papers on school crime and its relation to poverty, this chapter focuses solely on changes in student crimes in the period from 1950 to 1975. A number of observations are made about student violence. First, assaults against teachers have increased sharply in the past 25 years in absolute numbers, but not in the percent of…

Refines and clarifies certain concepts having to do with school vandalism and its control; examines the concept of social control as applied to the problem of controlling the young, delimiting it to conscious, social and formal dimensions, and summarily reviews research and theory in the area of school vandalism. (JM)

One of 52 theoretical papers on school crime and its relation to poverty, this chapter presents four moralization paradigms (psychoanalytic, social learning, humanistic, and cognitive-developmental) as explanatory hypotheses for the relationship between poverty and school crime. The paper takes the position that no one paradigm is sufficient to…

One of 52 theoretical papers on school crime and its relation to poverty, this chapter considers the perspective that violence and vandalism in schools are a structural rather than a personal problem. Various facets of the schooling process are discussed with an emphasis on past and present meaning of forms of social control and how these may be…

One of 52 theoretical papers on school crime and its relation to poverty, this chapter reviews the various approaches used in the study of school vandalism and attempts to define what is needed now. The main contribution of early research on vandalism is to point out an intellectual dead end. Conventional demographic approaches to the problem, by…

One of 52 theoretical papers on school crime and its relation to poverty, this chapter, by exploring the relationships among poverty, the ways schools are organized, and student disruption, generates notions that will help in developing a theoretical perspective on school disruption in terms of the various control patterns of school organization.…