OMB No. XXXX-X: Approval Expires XX/XX/XXXX

School Survey on Crime and Safety (SSOCS)

2016 and 2018

OMB #1850-0761 v.7

Appendix B – SSOCS 2016 Questionnaire

National Center for Education Statistics

Institute of Education Sciences

U.S. Department of Education

February 25, 2015
FORM

(5-13-2015)

SSOCS-1

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS

Collected by:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Economics and Statistics Administration

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U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

§,"’¤ 110106

SCHOOL SURVEY ON CRIME AND SAFETY

2015–16 SCHOOL YEAR

PRINCIPAL QUESTIONNAIRE

Your answers 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 [Education Sciences

Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002) 20 U.S.C., § 9573]. 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:

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

NOTICE

THIS SURVEY HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY:

OMB No. 1850-0761: Approval Expires xx/xx/xxxx

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.

Conducted by:
2

FORM SSOCS-1 (5-13-2015)

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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.

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 who are not

siblings or current dating partners that involves an

observed or perceived power imbalance and is

repeated multiple times or is highly likely to be

repeated.

Cyberbullying – occurs when willful and

repeated harm is inflicted through the use of

computers, cell phones, or other electronic

devices.

Diagnostic assessment – an evaluation

conducted by a medical or mental health

professional that identifies whether an individual

has one or more medical and/or mental health

diagnoses. This is in contrast to an educational

assessment, which does not focus on clarifying a

student’s 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.

Hate crime – a criminal offense or threat

against a person, property, or society that is

motivated, in whole or in part, by the offender’s

bias against a race, color, national origin,

ethnicity, gender, religion, disability, or sexual

orientation.

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 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.

Rape – forced sexual intercourse (vaginal,

anal, or oral penetration). This includes sodomy

and penetration with a foreign object. Both male

and female students can be victims of rape.

[Counts of attempted rape should be added to

counts of rapes in your reporting of item 26a.]

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.

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.
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FORM SSOCS-1 (5-13-2015)

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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.

Sexual assault – an incident that includes

threatened rape, fondling, indecent liberties, or

child molestation. Both male and female students

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. The conduct can be

carried out by school employees, other students,

and non-employee third parties. Both male and

female students can be victims of sexual 

harassment, and the harasser and the victim can

be of the same sex. The conduct can be verbal,

nonverbal, or physical.

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 use a facility and its indoor

atmosphere to 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).

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 service addressed at

lessening or eliminating the symptoms of a

disorder. In mental health, 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.

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.
WHERE SHOULD I RETURN MY COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRE?

Please return your completed questionnaire in the enclosed postage-paid envelope or mail it to:

4

FORM SSOCS-1 (5-13-2015)

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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 52 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 write

directly to: School Survey on Crime and Safety (SSOCS), National Center for Education Statistics, 1990 K

Street, N.W., #9034, Washington, DC 20006.

U.S. Census Bureau

ATTN: DCB/PCSPU, Building 60A

1201 E. 10th Street

Jeffersonville IN 47132-0001

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 39. 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 2015–16 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.

If you have any questions about this questionnaire, please contact the U.S. Census Bureau at:

1-888-595-1332 or at addp.education.surveys@census.gov.

Please keep a copy of the completed questionnaire for your records.
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FORM SSOCS-1 (5-13-2015)

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§,%$¤ 110403

Please provide the following information:

Name of person completing form

Title/position

014

010

Area code Number

— — 012

Telephone number

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

Is the correct grade range for this school?

Check one response.

1

2

Principal

3 Other – Please specify

Vice-principal or disciplinarian

015

Check all that apply.

Prekindergarten

GO TO QUESTION 1 ON PAGE 6.

Yes

Which of the following grades are offered in this school?

➤ GO TO Question 1 on page 6.

No ➤

1

2

022

024 1

026 1

028 1

030 1

032 1

034 1

036 1

038 1

040 1

042 1

044 1

046 1

048 1

050 1

052 1

Kindergarten

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

7th

8th

9th

10th

11th

12th

Ungraded
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FORM SSOCS-1 (5-13-2015)

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School Practices and Programs

1. During the 2015–16 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.

Require visitors to sign or check in and wear badges

Control access to school buildings during school hours 

(e.g., locked or monitored doors)

b.

Control access to school grounds during school hours 

(e.g., locked or monitored gates)

Require metal detector checks on students every day

Perform one or more random metal detector checks on students

Close the campus for most or all students during lunch

Use one or more random dog sniffs to check for drugs

Perform one or more random sweeps for contraband (e.g., drugs

or weapons*), but not including dog sniffs

Require drug testing for athletes

Require drug testing for students in extra-curricular activities other than athletics

Require students to wear uniforms

Enforce a strict dress code

Provide school lockers to students

Require clear book bags or ban book bags on school grounds

Require students to wear badges or picture IDs

Require faculty and staff to wear badges or picture IDs

Use one or more security cameras to monitor the school

Provide telephones in most classrooms

Provide two-way radios to any staff

Limit access to social networking websites (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, YouTube,

Instagram) from school computers

YES NO

110

c.

d.

e.

114

112

116

121

g.

h.

120

i.

j.

k.

l.

m.

n.

136

o.

138

q.

140

r.

s. 142

t. 144

u. 146

v. 148

w.

151

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

122

124

126

128

130

134

150

*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

Check "Yes" or "No" on each line.

Provide an electronic notification system that automatically notifies parents in

case of a school-wide emergency

Provide a structured anonymous threat reporting system (e.g., online 

submission, telephone hotline, or written submission via drop box)

1 2

x.

141

143

a.

y. Prohibit use of cell phones and text messaging devices during school hours 153 1 2

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

Have “panic button(s)” or silent alarm(s) that directly connect to law 

enforcement in the event of an incident p.

139 1 2
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FORM SSOCS-1 (5-13-2015)

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2.

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

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

scenarios?

YES NO

Active shooter* 155

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

Hostages

Bomb threats or incidents

Chemical, biological, or radiological threats or incidents (e.g., release of

mustard gas, anthrax, smallpox, or radioactive materials)

158

162

166

170

4. During the 2015–16 school year, did your school have any formal programs intended to prevent or

reduce violence* that included the following components for students? 

If a program has multiple components, answer "Yes" for each that applies.

YES NO

174 1 2

a. Prevention curriculum, instruction, or training for students (e.g., conflict

resolution, anti-bullying*, dating violence* prevention)

b. Behavioral or behavior modification intervention for students (including the use

of positive reinforcements)

c. Counseling, social work, psychological, or therapeutic activity for students

d. Individual attention/mentoring/tutoring/coaching of students by students

e.

f. Recreational, enrichment, or leisure activities for students

g. Student involvement in peer mediation

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

176 1 2

178 1 2

180 1 2

181 1 2

175 1 2

186 1 2

*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

Check "Yes" or "No" on each line.

f.

g.

h.

Suicide threat or incident 169

Pandemic flu

Post-crisis reunification of students with their families

173

167

1 2

1 2

1 2

Individual attention/mentoring/tutoring/coaching of students by adults

182 1 2

3.

a.

b.

c.

During the 2015–16 school year, has your school drilled students on the use of the following emergency

procedures?

YES NO

163 Evacuation*

Lockdown*

Shelter-in-place*

165

167

1 2

1 2

1 2

Please respond to each of these according to the definitions provided on pages 2 and 3.

h. Student court to address student conduct problems or minor offenses 177 1 2

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

"talking circles," "conflict circles")

i. 179 1 2

Social emotional learning (SEL) training for students (e.g., social skills,

anger management, mindfulness)

j. 183 1 2
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5. During the 2015–16 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)?

7. During the 2015–16 school year, did your school have any recognized student groups with the following

purposes?

Check "Yes" or "No" on each line.

YES NO

604 1 2

a. Acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (i.e.,

LGBTQ) students (e.g., Gay-Straight Alliance)

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

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

606 1 2

608 1 2

*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.

600 1 Yes

2 No

6. During the 2015–16 school year, how often did your school’s threat assessment team* formally

meet?

602 1 At least once a week

2 At least once a month

Check one response.

3 On occasion

4 Never

➤ GO TO item 7 below.

2

Parent and Community Involvement at School

8.

Check "Yes" or "No" on each line.

Have a formal process to obtain parental input on policies related to

school crime and discipline

a.

Provide training or technical assistance to parents in dealing with

students’ problem behavior

b.

Have a program that involves parents at school* helping to maintain school

discipline

YES NO

190

c.

194

192

1

1 2

1 2

Which of the following does your school do to involve or help parents?

➤
9

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*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.

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 2015–16 school year?

Open house or back-to-school 

night

Regularly scheduled 

parent-teacher conferences

Special subject-area events 

(e.g., science fair, concerts)

Volunteered at school* or 

served on a committee

Parent groups

Social service agencies

Juvenile justice agencies

Law enforcement agencies

Mental health agencies

Civic organizations/service clubs

Private corporations/businesses

Religious organizations

a.

196

b.

c.

d.

a. 204

b. 206

c. 208

d. 210

e. 212

f. 214

g. 216

h. 218

9.

Check one response on each line.

School does

not offer 0–25% 26–50% 51–75% 76–100%

198

200

202

YES NO

10. During the 2015–16 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.

1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5

204

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2
10

FORM SSOCS-1 (5-13-2015)

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*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.

School Security Staff

During the 2015–16 school year, did you have any sworn law enforcement officers (including School

Resource Officers) present at your school* at least once a week?

11.

a. At any time during school hours

b. While students were arriving or leaving

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

science fairs)

Were sworn law enforcement officers (including School Resource Officers) used at least once a 

week in or around your school at the following times?

YES NO

612

c.

616

614

1 2

1 2

1 2

12.

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.

1 Yes

➤

2 No ➤ GO TO item 19 on page 12.

d. When school/school activities were not occurring 618 1 2

610

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.

a. Carry a stun gun (e.g., Taser gun)

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

Carry a firearm*

Did any of the sworn law enforcement officers (including School Resource Officers) at your school*

routinely:

YES NO

620

c. 624

622

1 2

1 2

1 2

13.

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.

d. Wear a body camera 626 1 2
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*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.

Motor vehicle traffic control

Security enforcement and patrol

Maintaining school discipline

Coordinating with local police and emergency team(s)

Identifying problems in the school and proactively seeking solutions

to those problems

Training teachers and staff in school safety or crime prevention

Mentoring students

a. 628

b. 630

c. 632

d. 634

e. 636

f. 638

g. 640

YES NO

14. Did these sworn law enforcement officers (including School Resource Officers) participate in the

following activities at your school*?

Check "Yes" or "No" on each line.

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

Teaching a law-related education course or training students (e.g.,

drug-related education, criminal law, or crime prevention courses)

h. 642 1 2

i. Recording or reporting discipline problems to school authorities 644 1 2

Providing information to school authorities about the legal definitions

of behavior for recording or reporting purposes (e.g., defining assault

for school authorities)

j.

646 1 2

During the 2015–16 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?

15.

1 Yes

2 No

648

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.

During the 2015–16 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?

16.

1 Yes

2 No ➤ GO TO item 18 on page 12.

650

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.

➤ CONTINUE to item 17 on page 12.
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*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.

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?

17.

a. Student discipline

Use of physical restraints (e.g., handcuffs, Tasers, 

Mace, pepper spray, or other physical or chemical

restraints)

b.

YES

652

c. 656

654

1 3

d. 658

e.

Check "Yes," "No," or "Don’t know" on each line.

NO DON’T 

KNOW

2

Use of firearms*

Making arrests on school grounds

Reporting of criminal offenses to a law enforcement

agency 660

1 3 2

1 3 2

1 3 2

1 3 2

School Resource Officers (Include all career sworn law enforcement

officers with arrest authority, who have specialized training and are

assigned to work in collaboration with school organizations.)

Number 

at your school*

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.

a.

b. Sworn law enforcement officers who are not School Resource Officers

236

238 None

None

ii. Part-time

240

242 None

None

ii. Part-time

0

0

0

0

i. Full-time

i. Full-time

If none, please place an "X" in the None box.

Aside from School Resource Officers or other sworn law enforcement officers, how many additional

security guards or security personnel were present in your school at least once a week?

19.

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*

232

234 None

None

ii. Part-time

0

0

i. Full-time

Security guards or security personnel
13

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*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.

School Mental Health Services

20.

Diagnostic 

assessment* for

mental health 

disorders*

a.

During the 2015–16 school year, were the following mental health services available to students

under the official responsibilities of a licensed mental health professional*?

Check "Yes" or "No" for each type of service available to students, regardless of whether the

service was used this school year.

Treatment* for

mental health 

disorders*

b.

AT SCHOOL* 

by a mental health

professional* employed by

the school or district

Please respond to each of these according to the definitions provided on pages 2 and 3.

AT SCHOOL* 

by a mental health

professional* other than a

school or district employee,

funded by the school or district

OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL 

by a mental health

professional* other than a

school or district employee,

funded by the school or district

YES

662 1 2 664 1 2 666 1 2

668 1 2 670 1 2 672 1 2

During the 2015–16 school year, to what extent did the following factors limit your school’s efforts to

provide mental health services to students?

21.

Inadequate access to licensed mental health 

professionals*

a.

b. Inadequate funding

Limits in

major way

674

c.

678

676

1 3

d.

680

e.

Check one response on each line.

Limits in

minor way

Does not

limit

2

Potential legal issues for school or district 

(e.g., malpractice, insufficient supervision)

Lack of parental support in addressing their 

children’s mental health disorders*

Lack of community support for providing mental

health services to students in your school 682

Written or unwritten policies regarding the school’s

requirement to pay for the diagnostic assessment 

or treatment of students

f.

684

Reluctance to label students with mental health

disorders* to avoid stigmatizing the child

g. 686

1 3 2

1 3 2

1 3 2

1 3 2

1 3 2

1 3 2

NO YES NO YES NO

Service was available to students...
14

FORM SSOCS-1 (5-13-2015)

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*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.

Staff Training

Training in classroom management for teachers

Training in school-wide discipline policies and practices related to 

violence*

Training in school-wide discipline policies and practices related to alcohol

and/or drug use

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

Training in recognizing early warning signs of students likely to exhibit

violent behavior

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

a. 266

b.

268

d.

267

e.

269

f. 270

g.

272

YES NO

22. During the 2015–16 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.

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

i. 273

j.

274

1 2

1 2

Training in school-wide discipline policies and practices related to 

bullying* other than cyberbullying*

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

drugs

c.

265 1 2

Training in school-wide discipline policies and practices related to 

cyberbullying*

Training in intervention and referral strategies for students displaying

signs of mental health disorders* (e.g., depression, mood 

disorders, ADHD)

h.

271 1 2

k. Training in positive behavioral intervention strategies 276 1 2

l. Training in crisis prevention and intervention 277 1 2
15

FORM SSOCS-1 (5-13-2015)

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*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.

Limitations on Crime Prevention

23. To what extent do the following factors limit your school’s efforts to reduce or prevent crime?

Lack of or inadequate teacher training in classroom

management

a.

Lack of or inadequate alternative 

placement/programs for disruptive students

b.

Limits in

major way

280

c. 284

282

1 3

d. 286

e.

Check one response on each line.

Limits in

minor way

Does not

limit

2

Likelihood of complaints from parents

Lack of teacher support for school policies

Lack of parental support for school policies 288

f. Teachers’ fear of student retaliation 290

g. Fear of litigation

h. Inadequate funds

Inconsistent application of school 

policies by faculty or staff

i.

j.

Federal, state, or district policies on 

disciplining special education students*

Fear of district or state reprisal

Federal policies on discipline and safety other than

those for special education students*

l.

k.

292

294

296

298

300

302

State or district policies on discipline and safety

other than those for special education

students*

m.

304

Frequency of Crime and Violence at School

During the 2015–16 school year, have any of your school’s students, faculty, or staff died as a

result of a homicide committed at your school*?

24.

306

2

During the 2015–16 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*.

25.

308

1 3 2

1 3 2

1 3 2

1 3 2

1 3 2

1 3 2

1 3 2

1 3 2

1 3 2

1 3 2

1 3 2

1 3 2

1

2

Yes

No

1 Yes

2 No
16

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*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.

Number of Incidents

26.

a. Rape* or attempted rape*

Total number 

of recorded incidents

0

Number reported to police or

other law enforcement

Please record the number of incidents that occurred at school* during the 2015–16 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.)

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.

If none, please place an "X" in the None box.

Sexual assault* other than 

rape* (include threatened rape*)

b.

c. Robbery* (taking things by force)

310 None 312 0 None

314 0 None 316 0 None

i. With a weapon* 318 0 None 320 0 None

ii. Without a weapon* 322 0 None 324 0 None

d. Physical attack or fight*

i. With a weapon* 326 0 None 328 0

ii. Without a weapon* 330 0 None 332 0 None

e. Threats of physical attack*

i. With a weapon* 334 0 None 336 0 None

ii. Without a weapon* 338 0 None 340 0 None

Theft/larceny* (taking things

worth over $10 without personal

confrontation)

f.

342 0 None 344 0 None

Possession of a firearm or

explosive device*

g.

346 0 None 348 0 None

Possession of a knife or 

sharp object

h.

350 0 None 352 0 None

Distribution, possession, 

or use of illegal drugs

i.

354 0 None 356 0 None

Distribution, possession, 

or use of alcohol

k.

358 0 None 360 0 None

l. Vandalism*

362 0 None 364 0 None

None

None

Please provide information on:

Column 1 Column 2

Inappropriate distribution, possession, 

or use of prescription drugs

j.

355 0 None 357 0 None
17

FORM SSOCS-1 (5-13-2015)

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*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.

28. During the 2015–16 school year, how many hate crimes* occurred at your school*?

If none, please place an "X" in the None box.

30. How many times during the 2015–16 school year were activities disrupted by unplanned fire

alarms (i.e., false alarms)?

370 Number of unplanned fire alarms

31. Excluding planned and unplanned fire alarms, how many times during the 2015–16 school year

were activities disrupted by other actions, such as death threats, bomb threats, or chemical, 

biological, or radiological threats?

If none, please place an "X" in the None box.

Number of disruptions

0 None

372

0 None

If none, please place an "X" in the None box.

Do not include fire alarms due to actual emergencies.

27. Please record the number of arrests that occurred at your school during the 2015–16 school year.

Please include all arrests that occurred at school*, regardless of whether a student or 

non-student was arrested.

688 Number of arrests

0 None

If none, please place an "X" in the None box.

690 Number of hate crimes*

0 None ➤ GO TO item 30 below.

YES NO

a. Race or color 692 1 2

b. National origin or ethnicity

c. Gender

694 1 2

696 1 2

29. To the best of your knowledge, were any of these hate crimes* motivated by the offender’s

bias against the following characteristics?

Check "Yes" or "No" on each line.

d. Religion 698 1 2

e. Disability 700 1 2

f. Sexual orientation or gender identity (i.e., LGBTQ) 702 1 2

➤

If a hate crime was motivated by multiple characteristics, answer "Yes" for each

that applies.
18

FORM SSOCS-1 (5-13-2015)

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*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.

Disciplinary Problems and Actions

To the best of your knowledge, how often do the following types of problems occur at your

school*?

32.

a. Student racial/ethnic tensions

Happens at

least once a

month

374 5

Check one response on each line.

Happens on

occasion

Never

happens

3

Happens

daily

Happens at

least once a

week

12 4

b. Student bullying* 376 12 4 3 5

Student sexual harassment* 

of other students

c.

378 12 4 3 5

Student verbal abuse 

of teachers

382 12 4 3 5

Widespread disorder 

in classrooms

e.

380 12 4 3 5

Student acts of disrespect for

teachers other than verbal abuse

f.

384 12 4 3 5

Gang* activities

g.

h. 386 1 2 4 3 5

d.

379 12 4 3 5

Student harassment of other 

students based on sexual 

orientation or gender identity (i.e.,

LGBTQ)

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?

33.

Cyberbullying* among students 

who attend your school

a.

Happens at

least once a

month

389 5

Check one response on each line.

Happens on

occasion

Never

happens

3

Happens

daily

Happens at

least once a

week

12 4

School environment is affected 

by cyberbullying*

b. 391 12 4 3 5

Staff resources are used to deal

with cyberbullying*

c.

393 12 4 3 5
19

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34.

a.

b.

YES NO

392

c.

d.

e.

1 2

During the 2015–16 school year, did your school allow for the use of the following disciplinary

actions? If "yes," were the actions used this school year?

YES NO

390 1 2

Does your school

allow for use of the

following?

If “Yes,” was the

action used this

school year?

Removal with no continuing school 

services for at least the remainder of the

school year

Removal with school-provided tutoring/athome 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

394 396

398 400

402 404

406 408

410 412

f. In-school suspension for less than the

remainder of the school year 

414

418

g. Referral to a school counselor 422 424

h. Assignment to a program (during school

hours) designed to reduce disciplinary

problems

426 428

i. Assignment to a program (outside of school

hours) designed to reduce disciplinary

problems

430 432

j. Loss of school bus privileges due to 

misbehavior 434 436

k. Corporal punishment 438 440

l. Placement on school probation with

consequences if another incident occurs 442 444

m. Detention and/or Saturday school 448 446

n. Loss of student privileges 450 452

o. Requirement of participation in community 

service 454 456

*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.

1 2 1 2

1 2 1 2

1 2 1 2

1 2 1 2

1 2 1 2

1 2 416 1 2

1 2 420 1 2

1 2 1 2

1 2 1 2

1 2 1 2

1 2 1 2

1 2 1 2

1 2 1 2

1 2 1 2

1 2 1 2

1 2 1 2

i.

ii. With curriculum/services provided

With no curriculum/services provided

i. With no curriculum/services provided

ii. With curriculum/services provided
20

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§,0#¤ 111502

458

0 None

35. During the 2015–16 school year, how many students were involved in committing the 

following offenses, and how many of the following disciplinary actions were taken in response?

Please follow these guidelines when determining the number of offenses and disciplinary actions:

Use/possession of a

weapon* other 

than a firearm/

explosive device*

b.

Distribution, 

possession, or use 

of illegal drugs

c.

474

Distribution, 

possession, or use 

of alcohol

d.

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).

468 470 472 476

Total students

involved in

recorded

offenses

(regardless of

disciplinary

action)

Removals with

no continuing

school services

for at least the

remainder of

the school year

Transfers to

specialized

schools*

Out-of-school

suspensions

lasting 5 or

more days, but

less than the

remainder of

the school year

Other

disciplinary

action (e.g.,

suspension for

less than 5

days, detention,

etc.)

a. Use/possession of a

firearm/

explosive device*

478 480 482 484 486

488 490 492 494 496

Physical attacks

or fights*

e. 498 500 502 504 506

36. During the 2015–16 school year, how many of the following occurred?

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 35, column 2.)

a.

Total number 

If none, please place an "X" in the None box.

518

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 35, column 3.)

b.

*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.

460

0 None

462

0 None

464

0 None

466

0 None

0 None 0 None 0 None 0 None 0 None

0 None 0 None 0 None 0 None 0 None

0 None 0 None 0 None 0 None 0 None

0 None 0 None 0 None 0 None 0 None

0 None

520

0 None

Column number

1 2345

If none, please place an "X" in the None box. 

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 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.
21

FORM SSOCS-1 (5-13-2015)

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School Characteristics: 2015–16 School Year

37. As of October 1, 2015, what was your school’s total enrollment?

a. Eligible for free or reduced-price lunch

b. Limited English Proficient (LEP)

Special education students*

What percentage of your current students fit the following criteria?

c.

d. Male

522 Students

38.

Percent of students

0

524

None

%

526

528

Below the 15th a. percentile on standardized tests

b. Likely to go to college after high school

Consider academic achievement to be very important

What is your best estimate of the percentage of your current students who meet the

following criteria?

c.

39.

Percent of students

532

534

536

40. How many classroom changes do most students make in a typical day?

538

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.

0 None

%

0 None

%

0 None

530 %

0 None

%

0 None

%

0 None

%

0 None

*Please use the definition on pages 2 and 3.

If none, please place an "X" in the None box.

If none, please place an "X" in the None box.

If none, please place an "X" in the None box.

Typical number of classroom changes
22

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41. How would you describe the crime level in the area(s) in which your students live?

Check one response.

560 1

2

High level of crime

Moderate level of crime

Low level of crime

Students come from areas with very different levels of crime

3

4

42. How would you describe the crime level in the area where your school is located?

Check one response.

562 1

2

High level of crime

Moderate level of crime

3 Low level of crime

43. Which of the following best describes your school?

Check one response.

1

2

Regular public school

Charter school

Has a magnet program for part of the school

Exclusively a magnet school

Other – Please specify

3

4

5

565

564

44. What is your school’s average daily attendance?

a. Transferred to the school

During the 2015–16 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 36b.)

If a student transferred more than once in the school year, count each transfer separately. 

570

b. Transferred from the school

0 None

45.

572

0 None

Percent of students

present

568

0 None

%

If none, please place an "X" in the None box.
▲

▼ ▼

▲

46. Please provide the following dates:

b. End date for your 2015–16 school year

a. Start date for your 2015–16 school year

c. Date you completed the questionnaire

/ /2015

/ /2016

/ /2016

574

576

578

Month Day

23

FORM SSOCS-1 (5-13-2015) §,3*¤ 111809

47. 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 Minutes
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:

http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/ssocs

To learn more about this survey and to access reports

from earlier collections, see the School Survey on Crime

and Safety (SSOCS) website at: 

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: addp.education.surveys@census.gov

For additional data collected by various Federal

agencies, including the Department of

Education, visit the Federal Statistics

clearinghouse at:

http://www.fedstats.sites.usa.gov

http://nces.ed.gov

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24

FORM SSOCS-1 (5-13-2015) §,4)¤ 111908