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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
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
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  Availability: 0
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  Data: Examining Trends and Patterns in K-12 Security Expenditures in Texas
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Christopher+M%2E+Saldaña%22">Christopher M. Saldaña</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Xinyu+Guan%22">Xinyu Guan</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Texas+Education+Review%22"><i>Texas Education Review</i></searchLink>. 2025 13(1):152-170.
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  Data: 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/
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Texas%22">Texas</searchLink>
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  Data: 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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  Data: 2025
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  Data: EJ1463599
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 19
        StartPage: 152
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Elementary Secondary Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: School Security
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Finance
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: School Accounting
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Resource Allocation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Security Personnel
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Expenditures
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: School Location
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Diversity (Institutional)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: School District Size
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: School District Wealth
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: School District Spending
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Status Comparison
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Texas
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Examining Trends and Patterns in K-12 Security Expenditures in Texas
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            NameFull: Xinyu Guan
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              Y: 2025
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