School Safety Report

Recommendations for Policymakers

A newly published report describes how high school students perceive the physical safety of their high schools and the steps that could be taken to improve safety. The report—the first in a series on student safety—offers recommendations for policymakers to address the concerns identified by students.

Major findings of the report include:

  • Most high school students reported feeling safe at school. However, female students and minority students reported feeling less safe than their male and white counterparts. 
  • Nearly a quarter of students said that school safety concerns negatively affect their ability to learn.
  • To improve school safety, students most frequently recommended that their school provide mental health support for students.
  • Almost half of students indicated that they oppose allowing teachers and other school staff to receive special training to carry guns in school buildings. A quarter of students favored this, and the remaining quarter was neutral.