Examining Trends and Patterns in K-12 Security Expenditures in Texas
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| Title: | Examining Trends and Patterns in K-12 Security Expenditures in Texas |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Christopher M. Saldaña, Xinyu Guan |
| Source: | Texas Education Review. 2025 13(1):152-170. |
| Availability: | Texas Education Review. Available from: University of Texas at Austin, George I. Sanchez Building, 1912 Speedway, Austin, TX 78705. Tel: 512-471-7551; Fax: 512-471-5975; e-mail: txedreview@utexas.edu; Web site: https://review.education.utexas.edu/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 19 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Elementary Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Elementary Secondary Education, School Security, Educational Finance, School Accounting, Resource Allocation, Security Personnel, Expenditures, School Location, Diversity (Institutional), School District Size, School District Wealth, School District Spending, Educational Status Comparison |
| Geographic Terms: | Texas |
| ISSN: | 2329-5724 |
| Abstract: | Despite growing concerns about the harmful effects of "hardening" schools through increased police and surveillance on school campuses, little research has examined trends in financial resources allocated to these programs, practices, and personnel. This study contributes to the literature by analyzing trends and patterns in school security spending across K-12 public school districts in Texas. Using district-level expenditure and demographic data from the Texas Education Agency, we employed descriptive quantitative analysis to investigate changes in security spending over time and across districts with varying characteristics. Our findings reveal a significant increase in security expenditures statewide, with inflation-adjusted spending tripling from $21 to $64 per pupil between 2007 and 2022. This growth outpaced increases in spending on other support services like health, social work, and counseling. Across districts, security spending varied by geographic location, enrollment size, and student racial and socioeconomic composition. Districts serving the highest percentages of students of color and economically disadvantaged students consistently spent the most on school security. These findings raise critical questions about the factors driving school security expenditures and its potential implications for student safety and racial justice. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1463599 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Despite growing concerns about the harmful effects of "hardening" schools through increased police and surveillance on school campuses, little research has examined trends in financial resources allocated to these programs, practices, and personnel. This study contributes to the literature by analyzing trends and patterns in school security spending across K-12 public school districts in Texas. Using district-level expenditure and demographic data from the Texas Education Agency, we employed descriptive quantitative analysis to investigate changes in security spending over time and across districts with varying characteristics. Our findings reveal a significant increase in security expenditures statewide, with inflation-adjusted spending tripling from $21 to $64 per pupil between 2007 and 2022. This growth outpaced increases in spending on other support services like health, social work, and counseling. Across districts, security spending varied by geographic location, enrollment size, and student racial and socioeconomic composition. Districts serving the highest percentages of students of color and economically disadvantaged students consistently spent the most on school security. These findings raise critical questions about the factors driving school security expenditures and its potential implications for student safety and racial justice. |
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| ISSN: | 2329-5724 |
