Since the height of the pandemic, K12 leaders have made it their priority to put students at the center of education. Whether it’s by providing more individualized instruction or adding more mental health support staff, districts now understand the variety of external factors that have a profound impact on academic achievement. One thing remains, however, and that’s the looming feeling students carry knowing that a threat could come to their school at any moment.
K12 students face several safety challenges every day from cyberbullying to physical violence. As a result, they’re taking matters into their own hands by intentionally missing school to avoid these threats altogether.
That’s according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System survey released on Thursday. Using the latest data from more than 17,500 students in 2021, researchers were able to identify some of the most prominent safety trends negatively impacting students since 2011.
Overall, the data suggests no severe increase in violent threats against students over that 10-year span. However, they don’t reveal improvements either, which leaves researchers puzzled.
“Although experiences of bullying at school decreased from 2011 to 2021, it is concerning that all other experiences of violence increased or did not change,” the report reads. “The percentage of students who missed school because of safety concerns and experienced sexual violence by anyone increased. The percentage of students who were threatened or injured with a weapon at school, were electronically bullied and were forced to have sex did not change.”
Here’s a brief look at the data the report is referring to:
Threats/injuries by a weapon at school
In 2021, seven percent of students faced threats or were injured with a weapon, including a gun, knife or club on school grounds. LGBTQ+ students and those who had same-sex partners were more likely than any other demographic to be threatened or injured at school.
Students who chose to skip school due to safety concerns
Nearly 10% of high school students chose not to go to school at least once within the last 30 days of being surveyed because they felt unsafe at school or on their way to or from campus. Female students were more likely than male students to skip, as well as Black, Hispanic and LGBTQ+ students.
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Students who faced cyberbullying
A staggering 16% of high school students were electronically bullied in 2021 through methods of texting, Instagram, Facebook and other social media. According to the data, female students were more likely than males to be targeted. LGBTQ+ students were more likely than any other student group to be bullied by their peers.
Students who were bullied at school
Similarly, 15% of high school students were bullied on school property in 2021. Female students were more likely to face bullying than males, and LGBTQ+ students were more likely than any other student group to report being bullied.
A clear trend
Based on these findings, it’s evident that LGBTQ+ students are the most probable victim in such incidents. It’s up to school leaders to use this data to build an environment that promotes equity and safety for every student.
In response, the CDC recommends K12 leaders create policies that are “more inclusive for LGBTQ+ students.” Here are four steps decision-makers should take in preparation for 2023-24:
- Establish gender and sexuality alliances (GSAs).
- Identify safe spaces and safe people.
- Enforce anti-harassment policies.
- Provide professional development for educators on the importance of inclusivity.
“Schools are the gateway to needed services for many young people,” the report reads. “Schools can provide health, behavioral and mental health services directly or establish referral systems to connect to community sources of care.”
