CRS Report on School and Campus Security

SCHOOL AND CAMPUS SAFETY PROGRAMS AND REQUIREMENTS IN THE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT AND HIGHER EDUCATION ACT
CRS Publication Date:  04/27/2007
Document No.:  RL33980
Author(s):  Rebecca R. Skinner and Gail McCallion, Domestic Social Policy Division

Abstract:  Safeguarding the security of students as they pursue an education is a paramount concern of federal, state, and local governments, as well as the school districts, schools, and institutions that enroll these students. Both the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLBA; P.L. 107-110), and the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) contain requirements regarding crime and student safety. The ESEA also includes specific programs that support efforts to prevent school violence. While the HEA does not authorize specific programs to address campus crime and security issues, Section 485(f) of Title IV of the HEA contains statutory requirements related to campus crime and security, known collectively as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). Institutions must comply with these requirements to participate in the federal student aid programs and other programs authorized by Title IV (e.g., Pell Grants). Unlike K-12 education, there are limited federal funds available through ED to support institutions of higher education in addressing campus crime and security issues. This report discusses these provisions and programs as they apply to elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education. It begins with a description of programs and requirements included in the ESEA, which is followed by a discussion of relevant requirements included in the HEA.

CRS Reports can be obtained from www.GalleryWatch.com. Individual reports are available from www.pennyhill.com. [RJ]