Visible School Security Measures across Diverse Middle and High School Settings: Typologies and Predictors

ABATRACTMany U.S. schools attempt to create safe learning environments by implementing visible security measures such as cameras, metal detectors, and security personnel. This study explored utilization patterns of visible security measures and several associated predictors. Data included school administrator and student responses from multiple waves of two nationally representative surveys. Three latent classes of visible security measures were identified. Membership in the heaviest security latent class was most likely among large urban high schools in the South and was associated with student race/ethnicity and school disorder. Implications for research on effectiveness of visible security measures are discussed.