Abstract

Public school districts in Florida are required by law to cooperate with local law enforcement agencies to establish and assign one or more safe-school officers at each public school. Public school principals assume a significant role in the implementation of state policy measures and are responsible for providing safe school climates for students and staff (Coburn, 2005; Gawlik, 2015). However, principals' perceptions inform their individual interpretation of state policy measures, influencing the implementation process (Reid, 2017). This study utilized a cross-sectional survey to measure principals' perceptions of safe-school officers and their effect on facilitating safe school climates for students in public schools. The results of the study indicate there are statistically significant differences between principals' perceptions of safe school officers, in regards to principals who utilize formalized school-based policies or written documents outlining the role, responsibilities, and expectations of safe-school officers. The results also revealed statistically significant median differences between principals' opinions regarding the influence school resource officers and school safety officers have on engendering a safe school climate and the role and function of these officers. This study could generate insight into the perceived impact and limitations of new school safety provisions implemented to enhance school safety for students in Florida public schools.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2020

Semester

Summer

Advisor

Vitale, Thomas

Degree

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

College

College of Community Innovation and Education

Department

Educational Leadership and Higher Education

Degree Program

Educational Leadership; Executive Track

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0008247; DP0023601

URL

https://purls.library.ucf.edu/go/DP0023601

Language

English

Release Date

8-15-2021

Length of Campus-only Access

1 year

Access Status

Doctoral Dissertation (Open Access)

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