Date

Fall 2023

ESRP 9000 Professor

Mary Clisbee

ESRP 9001 Professor

Gina Peyton

Executive Summary

The purpose of the Strategic Research Project is to bring awareness to the need to improve security measures at Mount Zion High School while improving teaching and learning. This project aims to contribute to the reduction of safety issues that exist not only in the current setting, but also in many other schools across the United States.

Several factors contribute to the problem impacting the safety of the learning environment. Recent mass school shootings have created major challenges for school security measures, which has validated safe schools to be the deciding factor for identifying this problem. The leadership at the school believes there is a direct impact on the culture of the school where stakeholder safety is concerned. This strategic research project identified school safety as the most influential factor that interrupts student performance.

After a comprehensive review of the 40 factors in the SWOT analysis, enhancing school security cameras was chosen as a solution because new technology provides modern capabilities to deter criminal activity. Research has shown surveillance cameras to be the most significant security measure with the greatest impact of using social control mechanisms.

Improving surveillance cameras was determined to be the most doable strategy to support efforts to create a safer learning environment and possibly reduce the amount of stakeholder presence while implementing security measures. When it comes to monitoring student behavior, the camera system is the first resource.

The seven-step action plan was written to be implemented over the course of one school semester and is doable because the budget permits. The overall summary includes assessment of camera systems, budget planning, camera placement, storage capacity of camera system, integrated security measures, calibration of cameras, and ongoing evolution of the effectiveness of the surveillance system.

It is recommended that the federal government becomes more involved by supporting local school districts financially with enhancing security measures to create a safer place for students to learn and for teachers to teach. It is also recommended that administrators and security staff be the desired staff members with the access in order to minimize misuse and to avoid any privacy law violations. More importantly, investing in high-quality cameras with digital capabilities that allow the security team to enhance coverage throughout the campus will create a culture of safety and maximize learning in the school.

Document Type

Strategic Research Project-NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education

Language

English

Download
Share Feedback

Share

COinS