Safe and Drug-Free Environments

What Does the Legislation Say About Safe and Drug-Free Schools?

Two pieces of legislation provide direction and funding for programs that work toward safe and disciplined learning environments: the Goals 2000 Educate America Act and the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act.

Goals 2000: Educate America Act

Goal 6 of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act states that "every school in the United States will be free of drugs, violence, and the unauthorized presence of firearms and alcohol and will offer a disciplined environment conducive to learning." In order for students to achieve to the high standards called for in the Goals 2000 legislation, States and communities need to address ways to make schools safe, drug-free, and more disciplined as part of their reform efforts. Title VII of Goals 2000, the Safe Schools Act, authorizes the Department of Education to award competitive grants to school districts to help them reduce violence. Monies will promote a variety of activities including the installation of metal detectors and comprehensive violence prevention efforts such as mentoring programs and the training of school personnel in conflict resolution (U.S. Department of Education, Goals 2000 Fact Sheet, 1994).

The Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, Title IV of the Improving America's Schools Act

The Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, Title IV of the Improving America's Schools Act, 1994 promotes drug education and prevention programming in schools and communities and includes programs for the prevention of youth violence. Though Title IV authorizes programs that address both safe and drug-free issues, school activities are often directed toward either violence prevention or drug education and prevention. Most programs are built on an analysis of risk and protective factors identified in research. These programs were originally offered in high schools, but now span the K-12 spectrum. This is an explicit recognition that prevention activities should start at the elementary level if they are to achieve success (Billig, S.H. & Draft, N.P. 1997. Linking IASA and Service Learning: A Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation Guide. RMC Research Corporation: Denver, CO) Grants under Title IV may be awarded to local school districts, educational service agencies or consortia of these agencies, and/or community based organizations and other public and/or private nonprofit organizations for programs and services. Funds are distributed on the basis of enrollment and greatest need as determined by a formula specified by law. A special set aside of funds under the governor's Program is for partnerships for law enforcement education. Institutions of higher education are also eligible for funds allocated directly by the federal government through Title IV. Guiding principles of this legislation include:

Guiding Principles of the Safe and Dru-Free Schools and Communities Act

The addition of violence prevention as an integral component of the program. Localized decision making as to the design of a violence prevention program is key. Program possibilities include systematic school safety strategies, collaboration with community agencies, implementation of violence prevention activities, such as conflict resolution and peer mediation, and the procurement of metal detectors and employment of security guards. A flow of resources to where they are most needed. States will receive 50 percent of their funds based on the Title I formula; the other 50 percent will be based on the school-aged population. Criteria for selecting the neediest LEAs will be determined by the States, and 30 percent of the LEA funding will be given to those LEAs that have the greatest need. The remaining 70 percent will be distributed to LEAs based on enrollment. Greater accountability. States and LEAs must determine needs and assess program outcomes. This information will be used to develop policies and programs. In addition, they must report their progress toward meeting their goals and objectives to the public. Promotion of community-wide strategies. To encourage linkages between schools and communities, LEAs must collaborate with local government, businesses, parents, medical and law enforcement professionals and community-based entities in the development of their drug and violence prevention initiatives. Authorization of other activities, such as mentoring, health education, community service, conflict resolution, peer mediation, character education, procurement of metal detectors, and employment of security guards.

Governing Principles for Title IV

The United States Department of Education is proposing that the following principles govern recipients' use of fiscal year 1998 and future years' funds received under Title IV­ State and local programs of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act­ the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and communities Act State Grants Program: Base their programs on a thorough assessment of objective data about the drug and violence problems in the schools and communities served; With the assistance of a local or regional advisory council, which includes community representatives, establish a set of measurable goals and objectives, and design their activities to meet those goals and objectives (their measurable goals and objectives for drug and violence prevention); Design and implement their activities based on research or evaluation that provides evidence that the strategies used prevent or reduce drug use, violence, or disruptive behavior among youth; Evaluate their programs periodically to assess their progress toward achieving their goals and objectives; use their evaluation results to refine, improve, and strengthen their program; and to refine their goals and objectives as appropriate. The Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program at the United States Department of Education administers programs authorized by Goals 2000 Educate America Act and the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act. The program also coordinates with many other Education programs, as well as programs conducted by other Federal agencies, such as the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention at the Department of Justice, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , and Administration on Children, Youth and Families at the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at the Department of Transportation, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy.