| Discipline in schools is an important topic with many researchers suggesting that the type of discipline a school employs (consensual versus coercive) has an impact on the environment of the school and subsequently the students commitment to education. While many have argued that gangs are disruptive to schools, the relative impact of gangs on school discipline is less well known. Using data from a study of school crime and disorder that was conducted in Lucas County (Toledo Ohio), this paper will discuss the relationship between the type of discipline employed by various schools and the level of gang membership, student victimization and disorder within the schools. In addition to student demographics, measures of the school itself (size of student body, public - private, jr - sr high), and measures of disorder (gang membership, in-school victimization, fear of crime at school, drug availability in school) are employed. Implications for further research and policy will be discussed. |
Updated 05/20/2006