School Survey on Crime and Safety (SSOCS) 2018 Usability Testing

NCES Cognitive, Pilot, and Field Test Studies System

Appendixes M-N - SSOCS 2018 Usability Testing Letter with Log-in & Questionnaire

School Survey on Crime and Safety (SSOCS) 2018 Usability Testing

OMB: 1850-0803

⚠️ Notice: This form may be outdated. More recent filings and information on OMB 1850-0803 can be found here:

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National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
School Survey on Crime and Safety (SSOCS) 2018
Usability Testing
Appendixes M – N
SSOCS:2018 Principal Invitation Letter with Log-in
& SSOCS:2018 Questionnaire
OMB #1850-0803 v.208
September 2017
Appendix M – SSOCS:2018 Principal Invitation Letter with Log-in [approved in August 2017 (OMB
#1850-0761 v.14)]
Appendix N – SSOCS:2018 Questionnaire [the following edits have been made to the version approved
on July 17, 2017 (OMB# 1850-0761 v.12):
• The questionnaire has undergone forms design.
• Source codes have been added/edited for new/heavily revised items.
• “Arrests” is now a bolded term with an asterisk to indicate it is a defined term in items 17d and item 34.
• The second instruction bullet in item 33 was edited to be two sentences rather than one sentence
(comma replaced with period).
• “At your school” is now a bolded term with an asterisk to indicate it is a defined term in item 26 (a
formatting change only).
• The first response option in item 34 was changed from “0” to “None” for consistency with other items
in the questionnaire which give the option of “None” for counts of zero.]

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
School Survey on Crime and Safety (SSOCS) 2018
Usability Testing
Appendix M
SSOCS:2018 Principal Invitation Letter with Log-in
[Version approved in August 2017 (OMB #1850-0761 v.14)]
OMB #1850-0803 v.171
September 2017

SSOCS-13L(W)
(8-2017)

DEPA
RT

TION
CA

T OF ED
EN
U
M

ATES OF A

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES
NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS

Data collected by:
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economics and Statistics Administration
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

Study conducted by:
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION
STATISTICS

Dear
Last week, I wrote to request your participation in the School Survey on Crime and
Safety (SSOCS), a national study that collects information about crime and safety in
public schools. The survey is conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics
(NCES) of the U.S. Department of Education and data collection is being administered
by the U.S. Census Bureau on behalf of NCES.

SSOCS is endorsed by:
• American Association of School
Administrators
• American Federation of Teachers
• American School Counselors
Association
• Association for Middle Level Education
• Association of American Educators
• Council of Chief State School
Officers
• Education Northwest
• National Association of State Boards
of Education
• National Association of Elementary School
Principals
• National Association of School
Resource Officers
• National Association of Secondary School
Principals
• National PTA
• National School Safety Center
• School Safety Advocacy Council
• UCLA Center for Mental Health
in Schools
• National Association of School
Psychologists
• School Social Work Association of America

As we mentioned in our previous letter, SSOCS provides a unique opportunity to
collect national data on crime and safety from the school’s perspective. Findings from
the 2015–16 survey included:
• A higher percentage of middle schools reported that student bullying
occurred at school daily or at least once a week than did high schools
or primary schools.
• Higher percentages of schools reported that they had drilled students
on lockdown procedures and evacuation procedures compared with
shelter-in-place procedures.

We are confident that, with your participation, we can provide data to state and federal
agencies about various types of crime and discipline that exist in schools today.
Although SSOCS may ask some questions that appear similar to those on other
surveys, this survey is not connected to any other state or federal data collection
system. SSOCS is unique in that it provides national estimates of school
crime and safety using common definitions across all states.
While your participation in this survey is voluntary and your decision will not affect any
benefits or funding you receive from the U.S. Department of Education, we do hope you
will participate in this important national survey. We realize that data on school crime
are highly sensitive, so we want to assure you that by federal mandate we are required
to protect the identity of all schools included in our survey from public disclosure and
that information provided as part of this study may be used only for statistical purposes.
Your survey responses will be collected on a secure website. Please complete the
survey online within two weeks.
Respond now at https://respond.census.gov/ssocs
Log in using this User ID:
If you have any general questions about the study, please contact the U.S. Census
Bureau at 1–888–595–1332. Someone will be available to take your call Monday
through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). The U.S. Census
Bureau is also available to answer your questions via email at ssocs@census.gov. To
learn more about SSOCS, please visit https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/ssocs.
Sincerely,

Peggy G. Carr, Ph. D.
Commissioner
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Enclosures
Brochure
NCES is authorized to conduct this survey by the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C. §9543). All of the information schools provide may be used only for
statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in identifiable form for any other purpose except as required by law (20 U.S.C. §9573 and 6 U.S.C. §151). Reports of the findings
from the survey will not identify participating districts, schools, or staff. Individual responses will be combined with those from other participants to produce summary statistics and reports.

WASHINGTON, DC 20202

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
School Survey on Crime and Safety (SSOCS) 2018
Usability Testing
Appendix N
SSOCS:2018 Questionnaire
[Version approved on July 17, 2017 (OMB# 1850-0761 v.12)
with edits as itemized on the cover page of this document]
OMB #1850-0803 v.171
September 2017

OMB No. 1850-0761: Approval Expires 7/31/2020
Conducted by:

Collected by:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Economics and Statistics Administration
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS

SCHOOL SURVEY ON CRIME AND SAFETY
PRINCIPAL QUESTIONNAIRE
2017–18 SCHOOL YEAR
This survey is designed to be completed by the principal or the person most knowledgeable
about school crime and policies to provide a safe environment at your school.

(Please correct any errors in name, address, and ZIP Code.)

THIS SURVEY HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY:
American Association of School Administrators
American Federation of Teachers
American School Counselors Association
Association for Middle Level Education
Association of American Educators
Council of Chief State School Officers
Education Northwest
National Association of State Boards of Education
National Association of Elementary School Principals

National Association of School Resource Officers
National Association of Secondary School Principals
National PTA
National School Safety Center
School Safety Advocacy Council
UCLA Center for Mental Health in Schools
National Association of School Psychologists
School Social Work Association of America

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), within the U.S. Department of Education,
is authorized to conduct this survey by the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA
2002, 20 U.S.C. §9543).

NOTICE

All of the information you provide may be used only for statistical purposes and may not be
disclosed, or used, in identifiable form for any other purpose except as required by law
(20 U.S.C. §9573 and 6 U.S.C. §151). Reports of the findings from the survey will not identify
participating districts, schools, or staff. Individual responses will be combined with those from
other participants to produce summary statistics and reports.

PLEASE RESPOND BY:
FORM SSOCS-1
(8-15-2017)

§,"’¤

110106

DEFINITIONS
The following words are bolded and marked by an asterisk (*) wherever they appear
in the questionnaire. Please use these definitions as you respond.
Active shooter – an individual actively engaged
in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined
and populated area; in most cases, active
shooters use firearm(s) and there is no pattern or
method to their selection of victims.
Arrest – The act of detaining in legal custody. An
"arrest" is the deprivation of a person’s liberty by
legal authority in response to a criminal charge.
At school/at your school – activities
happening in school buildings, on school grounds,
on school buses, and at places that hold
school-sponsored events or activities. Unless
otherwise specified, this refers to normal school
hours or to times when school activities/events
were in session.
Bullying – any unwanted aggressive behavior(s)
by another youth or group of youths that involves
an observed or perceived power imbalance and is
repeated multiple times or is highly likely to be
repeated. Bullying occurs among youth who are
not siblings or current dating partners.
Cyberbullying – bullying that occurs when willful
and repeated harm is inflicted through the use of
computers, cell phones, or other electronic
devices.
Diagnostic mental health assessment – an
evaluation conducted by a mental health
professional that identifies whether an individual
has one or more mental health diagnoses. This is
in contrast to an educational assessment, which
does not focus on clarifying a student’s mental
health diagnosis.
Evacuation – a procedure that requires all
students and staff to leave the building. While
evacuating to the school’s field makes sense for a
fire drill that only lasts a few minutes, it may not
be an appropriate location for a longer period of
time. The evacuation plan should encompass
relocation procedures and include backup
buildings to serve as emergency shelters, such as
nearby community centers, religious institutions,
businesses, or other schools. Evacuation also
includes “reverse evacuation,” a procedure for
schools to return students to the building quickly if
an incident occurs while students are outside.
Firearm/explosive device – any weapon that
is designed to (or may readily be converted to)
expel a projectile by the action of an explosive.
This includes guns, bombs, grenades, mines,
rockets, missiles, pipe bombs, or similar devices
designed to explode and capable of causing bodily
harm or property damage.
Gang – an ongoing loosely organized
association of three or more persons, whether
formal or informal, that has a common name,
signs, symbols, or colors, whose members
engage, either individually or collectively, in
violent or other forms of illegal behavior.

Gender identity – means one’s inner sense
of one’s own gender, which may or may not
match the sex assigned at birth. Different
people choose to express their gender identity
differently. For some, gender may be expressed
through, for example, dress, grooming,
mannerisms, speech patterns, and social
interactions. Gender expression usually ranges
between masculine and feminine, and some
transgender people express their gender
consistent with how they identify internally,
rather than in accordance with the sex they
were assigned at birth.
Harassment – conduct that is unwelcome and
denies or limits a student’s ability to participate in
or benefit from a school’s education program. All
students can be victims of harassment and the
harasser can share the same characteristics of the
victim. The conduct can be verbal, nonverbal, or
physical and can take many forms, including
verbal acts and name-calling, as well as
non-verbal conduct, such as graphic and written
statements, or conduct that is physically
threatening, harmful, or humiliating.
Hate crime – A committed criminal offense
that is motivated, in whole or in part, by the
offender’s bias(es) against a race, religion,
disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender,
or gender identity; also known as bias crime.
Lockdown – a procedure that involves
occupants of a school building being directed to
remain confined to a room or area within a
building with specific procedures to follow. A
lockdown may be used when a crisis occurs
outside of the school and an evacuation would
be dangerous. A lockdown may also be called
for when there is a crisis inside and movement
within the school will put students in jeopardy.
All exterior doors are locked and students and
staff stay in their classrooms.
Mental health disorders – collectively, all
diagnosable mental disorders or health
conditions that are characterized by alterations
in thinking, mood, or behavior (or some
combination thereof) associated with distress
and/or impaired functioning.
Mental health professionals – mental
health services are provided by several different
professions, each of which has its own training
and areas of expertise. The types of licensed
professionals who may provide mental health
services include psychiatrists, psychologists,
psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioners,
psychiatric/mental health nurses, clinical social
workers, and professional counselors.
Physical attack or fight – an actual and
intentional touching or striking of another person
against his or her will, or the intentional causing
of bodily harm to an individual.

§,#&¤

FORM SSOCS-1 (8-15-2017)

110205

DEFINITIONS – Continued
The following words are bolded and marked by an asterisk (*) wherever they appear
in the questionnaire. Please use these definitions as you respond.
Rape – forced sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal,
or oral penetration). This includes sodomy and
penetration with a foreign object. All students,
regardless of sex or gender identity, can be victims
of rape. [Counts of attempted rape should be added
to counts of rapes in your reporting of item 30a.]
Restorative circle – a formal mediation
process led by a facilitator that brings affected
parties of a problem together to explore what
happened, reflect on their roles, find a solution,
and ultimately restore harmony to individual
relationships and the larger community.
Robbery (taking things by force) – the taking or
attempting to take anything of value that is owned
by another person or organization, under
confrontational circumstances, by force or threat of
force or violence and/or by putting the victim in fear.
A key difference between robbery and theft/larceny
is that robbery involves a threat or assault.
School Resource Officer (SRO) – a career
sworn law enforcement officer with arrest authority,
who has specialized training and is assigned to
work in collaboration with school organizations.
Sexual assault – an incident that includes
threatened rape, fondling, indecent liberties, or
child molestation. All students, regardless of sex or
gender identity, can be victims of sexual assault.
Classification of these incidents should take into
consideration the age and developmentally
appropriate behavior of the offender(s).
Sexual harassment – conduct that is unwelcome, sexual in nature, and denies or limits a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from a
school’s education program. All students, regardless
of sex or gender identity, can be victims of sexual
harassment, and the harasser and the victim can be
of the same sex. The conduct can be verbal,
non-verbal, or physical and can take many forms,
including verbal acts and name-calling, as well as
non-verbal conduct, such as graphic and written
statements, or conduct that is physically threatening,
harmful, or humiliating.
Sexual misconduct – Any act, including, but
not limited to, any verbal, nonverbal, written or
electronic communication or physical activity,
directed toward or with a student regardless of the
age of the student that is designed to establish a
romantic or sexual relationship with the student.
School staff have power over students by virtue of
their position, thus student-staff relationships are
not equal and students cannot be consenting
parties to romantic or sexual relationships.
Sexual orientation – means one’s emotional or
physical attraction to the same and/or opposite sex.
Shelter-in-place – a procedure similar to a
lockdown in that the occupants are to remain on the
premises; however, shelter-in-place is designed to

FORM SSOCS-1 (8-15-2017)

use a facility and its indoor atmosphereto
temporarily separate people from a hazardous
outdoor environment. Everyone would be brought
indoors and building personnel would close all
windows and doors and shut down the heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC).
This would create a neutral pressure in the
building, meaning the contaminated air would
not be drawn into the building.
Special education student – a child with a
disability, defined as mental retardation, hearing
impairments (including deafness), speech or
language impairments, visual impairments
(including blindness), serious emotional
disturbance, orthopedic impairments, autism,
traumatic brain injury, other health impairments,
or specific learning disabilities, who needs
special education and related services and
receives these under the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Specialized school – a school that is
specifically for students who were referred for
disciplinary reasons, although the school may
also have students who were referred for other
reasons. The school may be at the same
location as your school.
Theft/larceny (taking things worth over $10
without personal confrontation) – the unlawful
taking of another person’s property without
personal confrontation, threat, violence, or bodily
harm. This includes pocket picking, stealing a
purse or backpack (if left unattended or no force
was used to take it from owner), theft from a
building, theft from a motor vehicle or of motor
vehicle parts or accessories, theft of a bicycle,
theft from a vending machine, and all other
types of thefts.
Threat assessment team – a formalized
group of persons who meet on a regular basis
with the common purpose of identifying,
assessing, and managing students who may
pose a threat of targeted violence in schools.
Treatment – a clinical intervention addressed
at lessening or eliminating the symptoms of a
mental health disorder. This may include
psychotherapy, medication treatment, and/or
counseling.
Vandalism – the willful damage or destruction
of school property, including bombing, arson,
graffiti, and other acts that cause property
damage. This includes damage caused by
computer hacking.
Violence – actual, attempted, or threatened
fight or assault.
Weapon – any instrument or object used with
the intent to threaten, injure, or kill. This includes
look-alikes if they are used to threaten others.

§,#&¤

110205

SURVEY INSTRUCTIONS:
For most questions, please mark the box that best reflects your school’s circumstances.
Please mark your response with an "X".
Some questions ask for counts or percents of items. Please place an "X" in the None box,
rather than leaving the item blank, if the number of such items at your school is zero.
It is not necessary to consult any records for items 9 and 42. Please provide estimates for
these questions.
Definitions are available for many terms on pages 2 and 3. Defined terms are bolded and
marked with an asterisk (*) throughout the survey.
Some questions refer to the 2017–18 school year. Please report for the school year to date.
Please have this questionnaire filled out by the person most knowledgeable about school crime
and policies to provide a safe environment.
Please keep a copy of the completed questionnaire for your records.

WHERE SHOULD I RETURN MY COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRE?
Please return your completed questionnaire in the enclosed postage-paid envelope or mail it to:
U.S. Census Bureau
ATTN: DCB/PCSPU, Building 60A
1201 E. 10th Street
Jeffersonville, IN 47132-0001
If you have any questions about this questionnaire, please contact the U.S. Census Bureau at:
1-888-595-1332 or at SSOCS@census.gov.

Paperwork Burden Statement
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of
information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this voluntary
information collection is 1850-0761. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to
average 53 minutes per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources,
gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection. If you have any comments
concerning the accuracy of the time estimate, suggestions for improving this collection, or comments or
concerns about the contents or the status of your individual submission of this questionnaire, please e-mail:
SSOCS@census.gov, or write directly to: School Survey on Crime and Safety (SSOCS), National Center for
Education Statistics, Potomac Center Plaza, 550 12th Street SW, Room #4012, Washington, DC 20202.

§,$%¤

FORM SSOCS-1 (8-15-2017)

110304

School Practices and Programs
1.

During the 2017–18 school year, was it a practice of your school to do the following?
If your school changed its practices during the school year, please answer regarding your most
recent practice.
Check "Yes" or "No" on each line.
YES
NO

a.
b.

Require visitors to sign or check in and wear badges

110

Control access to school buildings during school hours
(e.g., locked or monitored doors, loading docks)

112

Control access to school grounds during school hours
(e.g., locked or monitored gates)

114

Require metal detector checks on students every day

116

e.
f.
g.

Perform one or more random metal detector checks on students

120

Equip classrooms with locks so that doors can be locked from the inside

121

Close the campus for most or all students during lunch

122

Perform one or more random sweeps (e.g., locker checks, dog sniffs) for
contraband (e.g., drugs or weapons*)

125

Require drug testing for students participating in athletics or other
extracurricular activities

129

Require students to wear uniforms

134

Enforce a strict dress code

136

Provide school lockers to students

138

Require clear book bags or ban book bags on school grounds

140

Have “panic button(s)” or silent alarm(s) that directly connect to law
enforcement in the event of an incident

139

Provide an electronic notification system that automatically notifies parents in
case of a school-wide emergency

141

Provide a structured anonymous threat reporting system (e.g., online
submission, telephone hotline, or written submission via drop box)

143

q.
r.
s.
t.

Require students to wear badges or picture IDs

142

Require faculty and staff to wear badges or picture IDs

144

Use one or more security cameras to monitor the school

146

Provide two-way radios to any staff

150

Prohibit non-academic use of cell phones or smartphones during school hours

153

i.
j.
k.
l.
m.

*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.

FORM SSOCS-1 (8-15-2017)

§,%$¤

110403

Does your school have a written plan that describes procedures to be performed in the following
scenarios?
YES

Active shooter*

155

Natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes or tornadoes)

158

Hostages

162

d.
e.

Bomb threats or incidents

166

Chemical, biological, or radiological threats or incidents (e.g., release of
mustard gas, anthrax, smallpox, or radioactive materials)

170

Suicide threat or incident

169

Pandemic disease

161

Post-crisis reunification of students with their families

157

During the 2017–18 school year, has your school drilled students on the use of the following emergency
procedures?
Please respond to each of these according to the definitions provided on pages 2 and 3.
YES
NO

Evacuation*

b.
c.

163

Lockdown*

165

Shelter-in-place*

167

During the 2017–18 school year, did your school have any activities that included the following
components for students?
Check "Yes" or "No" on each line.
YES

Prevention curriculum, instruction, or training for students (e.g., conflict
resolution, anti-bullying*, dating violence* prevention)

174

Social emotional learning (SEL) for students (e.g., social skills, anger
management, mindfulness)

183

Behavioral or behavior modification intervention for students (including the use
of positive reinforcements)

176

Individual mentoring/tutoring/coaching of students by adults

181

Student involvement in peer mediation

175

Student court to address student conduct problems or minor offenses

177

Student involvement in restorative circles* (e.g., "peace circles,"
"talking circles," "conflict circles")

179

Programs to promote a sense of community/social integration among students

186

*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.

§,&#¤

FORM SSOCS-1 (8-15-2017)

110502

During the 2017–18 school year, did your school have a threat assessment team* or any other
formal group of persons to identify students who might be a potential risk for violent or harmful behavior
(toward themselves or others)?
600

1
2

➤

GO TO item 7 below.

During the 2017–18 school year, how often did your school’s threat assessment team* formally
meet?
Check one response.
602

1
2
3
4

Yes
No

At least once a week
At least once a month
On occasion
Never

During the 2017–18 school year, did your school have any recognized student groups with the following
purposes?
Check "Yes" or "No" on each line.
YES

Acceptance of sexual orientation* and gender identity* of
students (e.g., Gay-Straight Alliance)

604

Acceptance of students with disabilities (e.g., Best Buddies)

606

Acceptance of cultural diversity (e.g., Cultural Awareness Club)

608

YES

Parent and Community Involvement at School
8.

Which of the following does your school do to involve or help parents?
Check "Yes" or "No" on each line.

Have a formal process to obtain parental input on policies related to
school crime and discipline

190

Provide training or technical assistance to parents in dealing with
students’ problem behavior

192

*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.

FORM SSOCS-1 (8-15-2017)

§,’"¤

110601

9. What is your best estimate of the percentage of students who had at least one parent or guardian
participating in the following events during the 2017–18 school year?
Check one response on each line.
0–25%

26–50%

51–75% 76–100%

School does
not offer

Open house or back-to-school
night

196

Regularly scheduled
parent-teacher conferences

198

10. During the 2017–18 school year, were any of the following community and outside groups involved in
your school’s efforts to promote safe, disciplined, and drug-free schools?
Check "Yes" or "No" on each line.
YES

Parent groups

204

Social service agencies

206

Juvenile justice agencies

208

Law enforcement agencies

210

Mental health agencies

212

Civic organizations/service clubs

214

Private corporations/businesses

216

Religious organizations

218

*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.

§,’"¤

FORM SSOCS-1 (8-15-2017)

110601

School Security Staff
11. During the 2017–18 school year, did you have any sworn law enforcement officers (including School
Resource Officers*) present at your school* at least once a week?
Do not include security guards or other security personnel who are not sworn law enforcement in
your response to this item; information on additional security staff is gathered in item 19.
610

➤

Yes

➤

GO TO item 19 on page 11.

12. Were sworn law enforcement officers (including School Resource Officers*) used at least
once a week in or around your school at the following times?
Do not include security guards or other security personnel who are not sworn law enforcement in
your response to this item; information on additional security staff is gathered in item 19.
Check "Yes" or "No" on each line.
YES

At any time during school hours

612

While students were arriving or leaving

614

At selected school activities (e.g., athletic and social events, open houses,
science fairs)

616

When school/school activities were not occurring

618

13. Did any of the sworn law enforcement officers (including School Resource Officers*) at your
school* routinely:
Do not include security guards or other security personnel who are not sworn law enforcement in
your response to this item; information on additional security staff is gathered in item 19.
Check "Yes" or "No" on each line.
YES

Carry physical restraints (e.g., handcuffs, Tasers)

621

Carry chemical aerosol sprays (e.g., Mace, pepper spray)

622

Carry a firearm*

624

Wear a body camera

626

*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.
FORM SSOCS-1 (8-15-2017)

§,(!¤

110700

14. Did these sworn law enforcement officers (including School Resource Officers*) participate
in the following activities at your school*?
Do not include security guards or other security personnel who are not sworn law enforcement in
your response to this item; information on additional security staff is gathered in item 19.
Check "Yes" or "No" on each line.
YES
NO

Motor vehicle traffic control

628

Security enforcement and patrol

630

Maintaining student discipline

632

Identifying problems in the school and proactively seeking solutions
to those problems

636

Training teachers and staff in school safety or crime prevention

638

Mentoring students

640

Teaching a law-related education course or training students (e.g.,
drug-related education, criminal law, or crime prevention courses)

642

Recording or reporting discipline problems to school authorities

644

Providing information to school authorities about the legal definitions
of behavior for recording or reporting purposes (e.g., defining assault
for school authorities)

646

e.
f.

15. During the 2017–18 school year, did your school have a sworn law enforcement officer (including
School Resource Officers*) present for all instructional hours every day that school was in
session?
Include officers who are used as temporary coverage while regularly assigned officers are performing
duties external to the school (such as attending court) or during these officers’ personal leave time.
Check "No" if your school does not have officer coverage while regularly assigned officers are
performing duties external to the school (such as attending court) or during these officers’ personal
leave time.
Do not include security guards or other security personnel who are not sworn law enforcement in your
response to this item; information on additional security staff is gathered in item 19.
648

Yes

16. During the 2017–18 school year, did your school or school district have any formalized policies or
written documents (e.g., Memorandum of Use, Memorandum of Agreement) that outlined the roles,
responsibilities, and expectations of sworn law enforcement officers (including School Resource
Officers*) at school?
650

Yes

➤
➤

CONTINUE to item 17 on page 11.
GO TO item 18 on page 11.

*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.

§,)*¤

FORM SSOCS-1 (8-15-2017)

110809

17. Did these formalized policies or written documents include language defining the role of sworn law
enforcement officers (including School Resource Officers*) at school in the following areas?
Check "Yes," "No," or "Don’t know" on each line.

a. Student discipline

DON’T
KNOW

YES
652

654

c. Use of firearms*

656

d. Making arrests* on school grounds

658

660

b. Use of physical or chemical restraints (e.g., handcuffs,
Tasers, Mace, pepper spray)

e. Reporting of criminal offenses to a law enforcement
agency

18. How many of the following were present in your school at least once a week?
If an officer works full-time across various schools in the district, please count this officer as
"part-time" for your school.
Do not include security guards or other security personnel who are not sworn law enforcement in
your response to this item; information on additional security staff is gathered in item 19.
If none, please place an "X" in the None box.

Number
at your school*

a. School Resource Officers*
i. Full-time

236

None

ii. Part-time

238

None

b. Sworn law enforcement officers who are not School Resource Officers*
i. Full-time

240

None

ii. Part-time

242

None

19. Aside from sworn law enforcement officers (including School Resource Officers*), how many
additional security guards or security personnel were present in your school at least once a week?
If a security guard or other security personnel works full-time across various schools in the district,
please count this person as “part-time” for your school.
If none, please place an "X" in the None box.

Number
at your school*

Security guards or security personnel
i. Full-time

232

None

ii. Part-time

234

None

*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.

FORM SSOCS-1 (8-15-2017)

§,*)¤

110908

School Mental Health Services
20. During the 2017–18 school year, did your school provide diagnostic mental health

assessments* (e.g., psychological/psychiatric diagnostics assessments) to evaluate students for
mental health disorders*?
Include only assessments conducted by a licensed mental health professional*.
661
Include services that were provided at school* as well as services provided through a
contract the school has with an outside provider.

➤

Yes

➤

GO TO item 22 below.

21. Were diagnostic mental health assessment* services provided to students from
your school in the following locations?
Check "Yes" or "No" on each line.

YES

a. At school*, by a school-employed or contracted mental health professional*

663

b. Outside of school, by a school-employed or contracted mental health

665

professional*

22. During the 2017–18 school year, did your school provide treatment* (e.g.,
psychotherapy, medication) to students for mental health disorders*?
667

Include only treatment* provided by a licensed mental health professional*.
Include services that were provided at school* as well as services provided
through a contract the school has with an outside provider.

➤

Yes

➤

GO TO item 24 below.

23. Were treatment* services provided to students from your school in the following locations?
Check "Yes" or "No" on each line.

At school*, by a school-employed or contracted mental health professional* 669

b. Outside of school, by a school-employed or contracted mental health

671

professional*

YES

24. During the 2017–18 school year, to what extent did the following factors limit your school’s efforts to
provide mental health services to students?

Limits in
major way

Check one response on each line.

Limits in
minor way

Does not
limit

a. Inadequate access to licensed mental health
professionals*

b. Inadequate funding
c. Potential legal issues for school or district (e.g.,
malpractice, insufficient supervision, confidentiality)

d. Concerns about reactions from parents
e. Lack of community support for providing mental
health services to students in your school

674

676

678

681

682

684

686

f. Written or unwritten policies regarding the school’s
requirement to pay for the diagnostic mental
health assessment* or treatment* of students

g. Reluctance to label students with mental health
disorders* to avoid stigmatizing the child
*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.

§,+(¤

FORM SSOCS-1 (8-15-2017)

111007

Staff Training and Practices
25. During the 2017–18 school year, did your school or school district provide any of the following
for classroom teachers or aides?
Check "Yes" or "No" on each line.
YES

Training in classroom management for teachers

266

Training in school-wide discipline policies and practices related to
violence*

268

Training in school-wide discipline policies and practices related to
cyberbullying*

265

Training in school-wide discipline policies and practices related to
bullying* other than cyberbullying*

267

Training in school-wide discipline policies and practices related to alcohol
and/or drug use

269

Training in safety procedures (e.g., how to handle emergencies)

270

Training in recognizing early warning signs of students likely to exhibit
violent behavior

272

Training in recognizing signs of self-harm or suicidal tendencies

278

Training in intervention and referral strategies for students displaying
signs of mental health disorders* (e.g., depression, mood
disorders, ADHD)

271

Training in recognizing physical, social, and verbal bullying* behaviors

273

Training in recognizing signs of students using/abusing alcohol and/or
drugs

274

Training in positive behavioral intervention strategies

276

277

c.
d.
e.

h.
i.

m. Training in crisis prevention and intervention

26. To the best of your knowledge, during the 2017–18 school year, were there any staff at your school*
who legally carried a firearm* on school property?

Exclude sworn law enforcement officers (including School Resource Officers*) or other security
guards or personnel who carry firearms.
279

Yes

*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.

FORM SSOCS-1 (8-15-2017)

§,,’¤

111106

Limitations on Crime Prevention
27. To what extent do the following factors limit your school’s efforts to reduce or prevent crime?
Check one response on each line.
Limits in
major way

Lack of or inadequate teacher training in classroom
management

Limits in
minor way

Does not
limit

280

Lack of or inadequate alternative
placement/programs for disruptive students

282

Likelihood of complaints from parents

284

Lack of teacher support for school policies

286

Lack of parental support for school policies

288

Teachers’ fear of student retaliation

290

Fear of litigation

292

Inadequate funds

294

Inconsistent application of school
policies by faculty or staff

296

Fear of district or state reprisal

298

Federal, state, or district policies on
disciplining special education students*

300

Federal policies on discipline and safety other than
those for special education students*

302

State or district policies on discipline and safety other
than those for special education students*

304

k.
l.
m.

Frequency of Crime and Violence at School
28. During the 2017–18 school year, have any of your school’s students, faculty, or staff died as a
result of a homicide committed at your school*?
306

Yes

1
2

29. During the 2017–18 school year, has there been at least one incident at your school* that
involved a shooting (regardless of whether anyone was hurt)? Please include those incidents that
occurred at school*, regardless of whether a student or non-student used the firearm*.
308

Yes

*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.

§,-&¤

FORM SSOCS-1 (8-15-2017)

111205

Incidents
30. Please record the number of incidents that occurred at school* during the 2017–18 school year
for the offenses listed below. (NOTE: The number in column 1 should be greater than or equal to
the number in column 2.)
If none, please place an "X" in the None box.
Please provide information on:
The number of incidents, not the number of victims or offenders.
Recorded incidents, regardless of whether any disciplinary action was taken.
Recorded incidents, regardless of whether students or non-students were involved.
Incidents occurring before, during, or after normal school hours.
Column 1

Column 2

Total number
of recorded incidents

a. Rape* or attempted rape*

Number reported to police or
other law enforcement

310

None

312

None

314

None

316

None

318

None

320

None

322

None

324

None

326

None

328

None

330

None

332

None

334

None

336

None

338

None

340

None

342

None

344

None

346

None

348

None

350

None

352

None

354

None

356

None

355

None

357

None

358

None

360

None

362

None

364

None

b. Sexual assault* other than
rape* (include threatened rape*)

c. Robbery* (taking things by force)
i. With a weapon*
ii. Without a weapon*

d. Physical attack or fight*
i. With a weapon*
ii. Without a weapon*

e. Threats of physical attack*
i. With a weapon*
ii. Without a weapon*

f. Theft/larceny* (taking things
worth over $10 without personal
confrontation)

g. Possession of a firearm/
explosive device*

h. Possession of a knife or
sharp object
i. Distribution, possession,
or use of illegal drugs

j. Inappropriate distribution, possession,
or use of prescription drugs
k. Distribution, possession,
or use of alcohol

l. Vandalism*

*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.
FORM SSOCS-1 (8-15-2017)

§,+(¤

111007

31. During the 2017–18 school year, how many hate crimes* occurred at your school*?
If none, please place an "X" in the None box.
Number of hate crimes*

690

None

➤

GO TO item 33 below.

32. To the best of your knowledge, were any of these hate crimes* motivated by the offender’s
bias against the following characteristics or perceived characteristics?
Check "Yes" or "No" on each line.
If a hate crime* was motivated by multiple characteristics, answer "Yes" for
each that applies.
YES

a. Race or color

692

b. National origin or ethnicity

694

c. Sex

696

d. Religion

698

e. Disability (e.g., physical, mental, and learnig disabilities)

700

702

704

f. Sexual orientation*
g. Gender identity*

33. To the best of your knowledge, during the 2017–18 school year, have there been any incidents of
sexual misconduct* between a staff member and a student at your school?
Report on misconduct between staff and students whether or not the incidents occured at school or
away form school.
Sexual assault* and rape* are both forms of sexual misconduct. Therefore, some incidents of
staff-student behavior may be reported in response to items 30a and 30b as well as item 33.
705

Yes

34. Please record the number of arrests* that occurred at your school during the 2017–18 school year.
Please include all arrests* that occurred at school*, regardless of whether a student
or non-student was arrested.
688

1
2
3
4

None
1–5
6–10
11 or more

*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.

§,,’¤

FORM SSOCS-1 (8-15-2017)

111106

Disciplinary Problems and Actions
35. To the best of your knowledge, how often do the following types of problems occur at your
school*?
Check one response on each line.
Happens
daily

Happens at Happens at
least once a least once a Happens on
occasion
week
month

Never
happens

a. Student racial/ethnic tensions

374

b. Student bullying*

376

378

381

Student harassment* of other
students based on gender identity* 383

Student harassment*
of other students based on religion

801

in classrooms

382

Student verbal abuse
of teachers

380

Student acts of disrespect for
teachers other than verbal abuse

384

386

c. Student sexual harassment*
of other students

d. Student harassment* of other
students based on sexual
orientation*

e.
f.

800

g. Student harassment* of other students
based on disability (e.g., physical,
mental, and learning disabilities)

h. Widespread disorder
i.
j.

k. Gang* activities

36. To the best of your knowledge, thinking about problems that can occur anywhere (both at your
school* and away from school), how often do the following occur?
Check one response on each line.

a. Cyberbullying* among students
who attend your school

b. School environment is affected
by cyberbullying*

c. Staff resources are used to deal
with cyberbullying*

Happens
daily

Happens at Happens at
least once a least once a Happens on
occasion
week
month

Never
happens

389

391

393

*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.
FORM SSOCS-1 (8-15-2017)

§,-&¤

111205

37. During the 2017–18 school year, did your school allow for the use of the following disciplinary
actions? If "yes," were the actions used this school year?
Does your school
allow for use of the
following?
YES

Removal with no continuing school
services for at least the remainder of the
school year

If “Yes,” was the
action used this
school year?
YES

390

392

394

396

398

400

402

404

406

408

410

412

414

416

ii. With curriculum/services provided

418

420

Referral to a school counselor

422

424

Assignment to a program (during school
hours) designed to reduce disciplinary
problems

426

428

Assignment to a program (outside of school
hours) designed to reduce disciplinary
problems

430

432

Loss of school bus privileges due to
misbehavior

434

436

Corporal punishment

438

440

Placement on school probation with
consequences if another incident occurs

442

444

Detention and/or Saturday school

446

448

Loss of student privileges

450

452

Requirement of participation in community
service

454

456

b.
c.
d.
e.

Removal with school-provided tutoring/home
instruction for at least the remainder of the
school year
Transfer to a specialized school* for
disciplinary reasons
Transfer to another regular school for
disciplinary reasons
Out-of-school suspension or removal for less
than the remainder of the school year
i. With no curriculum/services provided
ii. With curriculum/services provided

In-school suspension for less than the
remainder of the school year
i. With no curriculum/services provided

i.
j.
k.
l.
m.

*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.

§,.%¤

FORM SSOCS-1 (8-15-2017)

111304

38. During the 2017–18 school year, how many students were involved in committing the
following offenses, and how many of the following disciplinary actions were taken in response?
If none, please place an "X" in the None box.
Please follow these guidelines when determining the number of offenses and disciplinary actions:
If more than one student was involved in an incident, please count each student separately when
providing the number of disciplinary actions.
If a student was disciplined more than once, please count each offense separately (e.g., a student
who was suspended five times would be counted as five suspensions).
If a student was disciplined in two different ways for a single infraction (e.g., the student was both
suspended and referred to counseling), count only the most severe disciplinary action
that was taken.
If a student was disciplined in one way for multiple infractions, record the disciplinary action for only
the most serious offense.
1
Total students
involved in
recorded
offenses
(regardless of
disciplinary
action)

a.
b.

Use/possession of a
firearm/
explosive device*

458

Use/possession of a
weapon* other
than a firearm/
explosive device*

468

Distribution,
possession, or use
of illegal drugs

478

Distribution,
possession, or use
of alcohol

488

Physical attacks
or fights*

Column number
3

2
Removals with
no continuing
school services
for at least the
remainder of
the school year

460
0

None

462
0

None

470
0

None

None
490

None

498

500
0

None

496

None

504
0

None

486

494
0

476
0

None

502
0

None

484
0

None

466
0

None

492
0

Other
disciplinary
action (e.g.,
suspension for
less than 5
days, detention,
etc.)

474
0

None

Out-of-school
suspensions
lasting 5 or
more days, but
less than the
remainder of
the school year

None

482
0

464
0

472

480
0

Transfers to
specialized
schools*

506
0

None

39. During the 2017–18 school year, how many of the following occurred?
If none, please place an "X" in the None box.
Total number

Students were removed from your school without continuing services for
at least the remainder of the school year for disciplinary reasons.
(NOTE: This number should be greater than or equal to the sum of entries
in item 38, column 2.)
Students were transferred to specialized schools* for
disciplinary reasons. (NOTE: This number should be greater than or
equal to the sum of entries in item 38, column 3.)

518
0

None

520

*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.

FORM SSOCS-1 (8-15-2017)

§,/$¤

111403

School Characteristics: 2017–18 School Year
40. As of October 1, 2017, what was your school’s total enrollment?
Students

522

41. What percentage of your current students fit the following criteria?
If none, please place an "X" in the None box.
Percent of students

a. Eligible for free or reduced-price lunch

524
0

526

b. English language learner (ELL)

None

None
%

528

Special education students*

d. Male

None
%

530
0

None

42. What is your best estimate of the percentage of your current students who meet the
following criteria?
If none, please place an "X" in the None box.
Percent of students

a. Below the 15th percentile on standardized tests

532
0

None
%

534

b. Likely to go to college after high school

None
%

536

c. Consider academic achievement to be very important

None

43. How many classroom changes do most students make in a typical day?
Count going to lunch and then returning to the same or a different classroom as two
classroom changes. Do not count morning arrival or afternoon departure.
If none, please place an "X" in the None box.
Typical number of classroom changes

538
0

None

*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.

§,0#¤

FORM SSOCS-1 (8-15-2017)

111502

44. How would you describe the crime level in the area(s) in which your students live?
Check one response.
High level of crime

560 1
2

Moderate level of crime

Low level of crime

Students come from areas with very different levels of crime

45. How would you describe the crime level in the area where your school is located?
Check one response.
High level of crime

562 1
2

Moderate level of crime

Low level of crime

46. Which of the following best describes your school?
Check one response.
Regular public school

564 1
2

Charter school

Has a magnet program for part of the school

Exclusively a magnet school

Other – Please specify

565

47. What is your school’s average daily attendance?
Percent of students
present
%

568
0

None

48. During the 2017–18 school year, how many students transferred to or from your school after the
start of the school year? Please report on the total mobility, not just transfers due to disciplinary
actions. (NOTE: This number should be greater than or equal to the number of students who were
transferred for disciplinary reasons, as reported in item 39b.)
If a student transferred more than once in the school year, count each transfer separately.
If none, please place an "X" in the None box.

Transferred to the school

570
0

Transferred from the school

572
0

FORM SSOCS-1 (8-15-2017)

None

§,1"¤

None

111601

Please provide the following information:
Month

Please provide the following dates:

Start date for your 2017–18 school year

End date for your 2017–18 school year

Date you completed the questionnaire

Is
022

Day

574

/2017

576

/2018

578

/2018

the correct grade range for this school?
1

Yes

➤

Which of the following grades are offered in this school?
Check all that apply.
Prekindergarten
Kindergarten
1st

024

026

028

030

032

034

036

2nd
3rd
4th
5th

038

6th

040

042

7th
8th

044

046

048

050

052

9th
10th
11th
12th
Ungraded

Name of person completing form
010

Telephone number
Area code
Number
—

012

—

Title/position
Check one response.
014

Principal

Vice-principal or disciplinarian

Other – Please specify
015

§,2!¤

FORM SSOCS-1 (8-15-2017)

111700

Number of years at this school
016

Best days and times to reach you (in case we have further questions)
018

E-mail address
020

How long did it take you to complete this form, not counting interruptions?
Please record the time in minutes (e.g., 55 minutes, 65 minutes).
580

FORM SSOCS-1 (8-15-2017)

Minutes

§,3*¤

111809

Please return your completed questionnaire in the
enclosed postage-paid envelope or mail it to:
U.S. Census Bureau
Attn: DCB/PCSPU, Building 60A
1201 E 10th Street
Jeffersonville, IN 47132-0001
Thank you very much for your participation in
this survey. If you have any questions, please
contact us, toll–free, at: 1–888–595–1332 or by
e-mail at: SSOCS@census.gov

To learn more about this survey and to access reports
from earlier collections, see the School Survey on Crime
and Safety (SSOCS) website at:
https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/ssocs
Additional data collected by the National Center for
Education Statistics (NCES) on a variety of topics
in elementary, secondary, postsecondary, and
international education are available from the
NCES website at:
https://nces.ed.gov
For additional data collected by various Federal
agencies, including the Department of
Education, visit the Federal Statistics
clearinghouse at:

https://fedstats.sites.usa.gov

§,4)¤

FORM SSOCS-1 (8-15-2017)

111908

File Type	application/pdf
Author	Sidney Flicker
File Modified	2017-09-13
File Created	2017-09-11