Nationwide Study of Firearm Violence Prevention Tactics and Policies in K-12 Schools

Launched by COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY · Sep 21, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying ways to prevent firearm violence in K-12 schools across the country. Researchers aim to understand how different safety measures and policies can affect the number of intentional shootings and student discipline issues, such as suspensions and expulsions. The study will look at over 650 public schools to see if having more safety tactics in place, like improved security and emergency response plans, can help reduce these incidents. They will also explore if there are differences in how these measures work in urban versus non-urban areas, and among different economic and racial groups, especially before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

To be part of this study, schools need to meet certain criteria. For example, they must have experienced a shooting incident on their property during school hours, where someone intended to harm another person. Schools that had accidental shootings, suicides without intent to harm others, or incidents occurring off school grounds won't be included. Participants can expect researchers to collect data on safety measures and their impact on school violence and discipline. This study is currently recruiting, and it aims to provide valuable insights that could help make schools safer for everyone.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• For a case school to be included, it must satisfy the following criteria:
• • Inclusion Criteria-
• • 1. The incident must have taken place on the school property.
• • 2. The gun must have been shot during school hours.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. The shot was accidental.
• • 2. If it was a suicide/attempted suicide and there was no attempt to shoot another person. (Murder-suicides will be included.)
• • 3. The shot was fired on the school bus on its way to or from the school or another school-sanctioned event.
• • 4. The school was not in session for any reason.
• • 5. The school event was taking place at a location where school security measures were ineffective.
• • 6. The shot originated from outside the school and no person or property was hit in the school.
• • Inclusion criteria for control school: Matches the case school on the following criteria- geographic state, urban/non-urban, and elementary/middle/high school status.