Gangs In Schools

Today, gangs are present in many schools across America, including private schools. Statistics show that forty six percent of students in public schools reported the presence of gangs while two percent of private school students reported gangs (Arciaga, Sakamoto, & Jones, 2010). Furthermore, in 2007, 23 percent of students reported the presence of gangs on their school campus or in the surrounding area, which is an increase from gangs reported in 2003. Although gangs are reported in many schools, the schools in urban areas appear to be the most affected by the presence of gangs (Arciaga, Sakamoto, & Jones, 2010). In 2005, 36 percent of urban students reported gangs compared to suburban students who reported 21 percent and rural students who …show more content…
In some instances, gang members go to school just to engage in criminal behavior or to confront rivals. Because gang interactions can be so violent at school, school staff and administrators need to formulate a plan to deal with gang activity. However, these individuals need to first acknowledge the fact that they have gang problems (Arciaga, Sakamoto, & Jones, 2010). Nevertheless, what makes it hard for school staff and administration to acknowledge their gang problems is the lack of recognizing gang activity when they see it, acknowledging the fact that they have gang members attending their school may make them feel like they have failed at controlling their school climate, they may lose students if they have a gang problem and they may be reluctant to share the information regarding gangs in their school for the fear of violating confidentiality laws (Arciaga, Sakamoto, & Jones, …show more content…
Taken into consideration should be the local demographics, crime and law enforcement data, student and staff perceptions, and resources available to address gang problems in and around the school (Arciaga, Sakamoto, & Jones, 2010). School administrators should develop a diverse task force composed of administrators, staff members, students, law enforcement and other agencies to assess the impact gangs have on the school and to also identify gangs in the local neighborhood, and develop strategies to eliminate gang behavior from school grounds. More specific recommendations include incorporating a schoolwide approach as well as an individual approach (Arciaga, Sakamoto, & Jones, 2010). Schoolwide a dress code should be enforced that do not allow gang identifiers. This would ensure that staff are trained in the latest gang trends and gang members are suspended or expelled from from school for uniform infractions (Arciaga, Sakamoto, & Jones, 2010). The individual approach seeks to direct gang involved students away from the gang while still enforcing a dress code and to help provide them with skills and support to help them remove themselves from the gang life. Lastly, schools can promote emotional and social competencies, increase prosocial peer bonds, strengthen students attachment and commitment to