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Gun Violence and Proximity to Schools

An Analysis Map

Descriptive Text for Image

Research Question

How does gun violence in the vicinity of high-risk schools in King County impact educational disparities, graduation rates, and social mobility?

Summary

This project examines the intersection of gun violence and school funding disparities in King County, highlighting the compounded challenges faced by high-risk schools. It explores the urgency for safety measures and prevention strategies amid increasing incidents near schools, emphasizing the impact on student safety, academic performance, and future opportunities.

Key Findings

  • Gun violence incidents predominantly occur within a one-mile radius of school sites, impacting nearly 300,000 students.
  • High-risk schools, especially in South Seattle and South King County, are most affected, with lower graduation rates and inadequate funding exacerbating the impact of gun violence.
  • Disparities in educational funding and safety perpetuate the cycle of poverty and violence, undermining education's role in social and economic mobility.

Source: King County 2019

What I did

  • Gathered data on school funding, graduation rates, enrollment, and shooting incidents in King County.
  • Created a choropleth map to visualize spatial disparities in school funding across King County.
  • Conducted a spatial analysis to identify gun violence incidents within a one-mile buffer of school sites.
  • Assessed how funding disparities and proximity to gun violence incidents influence student safety, academic performance, and dropout rates in an analysis report.