National Crime Prevention Council's School Safety and Security

Glossary
Action plan. A detailed outline that spells out specific
goals, objectives, and activities focusing on school safety
and security improvements.
Action team. A group of school staff, parents, students,
and other community members dedicated to assessing
school safety and security threats, developing strategies
for action, advocating for change, facilitating improvements,
and evaluating outcomes.
Baseline. Statistical information (e.g., school delinquency
or graduation rates) that can be compared with
subsequent data to determine positive or negative
change.
Bullying. Physical or verbal intimidation, threatening,
or abuse of one student by another, including pushing,
shoving, teasing, and name-calling.
Clique. A narrow social circle or group that excludes
others.
Forum. A community meeting dedicated to prioritizing
school safety and security problems and brainstorming
solutions.
Gang. An exclusive adolescent social group engaged in
unlawful activities.
Goal. A statement indicating an end toward which all
efforts will be directed.
Indicator data. Statistical information quantifying a
certain type of activity over a specific time period, such
as school graduation rates, attendance, arrests, traffic
accidents, or assaults.
Intimidation. Using threats to frighten another person.
Needs assessment. Research conducted to identify
potential and existing school safety and security
problems.
Objective. A statement indicating a means to an end
(goal).
Safety. For purposes of this campaign, policies and
procedures devoted to improving the school environment
by changing or influencing the behavior of
students and staff.
School administrator. Principal or assistant principal.
Security. For purposes of this campaign, hardware
(e.g., surveillance equipment, locks, and lighting)
devoted to improving a school's physical environment.
Sexual harassment. Unwelcome sexual behavior,
including comments, physical contact, gestures, and the
spreading of rumors.
Social climate. Social factors that contribute to a
school's level of safety and security—e.g., how students
relate to teachers and each other, how conflict is managed,
etc.
Stakeholder. Any person with a personal or professional
interest in school safety and security.
Theft. Stealing of personal or school property.
Victim. A person suffering emotional or physical injury
or loss at the hands of another person or people.