Public schools are getting safer– but there were still more than 55,000 incidents last year.
Violent incidents in schools fell 21 percent between 2011 and 2013, according to data released Tuesday by the state Education Department.
Schools reported 55,339 incidents in the 2012-2013 school year, down from a record-high 70,032 incidents in 2011-2012.
The declines occurred across nearly all categories the state measures.
Sex offenses fell 14 percent, from 2,457 i to 2,122.
Weapon possession among students dropped 12 percent, from 2,735 to 2,416.
And bullying reports fell by more than 1,000 incidents, from 7,964 to 6,909.
But the number of bomb threats quadrupled from 27 to 111.
Parent advocates attributed the increase to student anxiety over standardized exams.
“Bomb threats are made when a student wants to forestall a specific event in school, such as a test,” said activist Leonia Haimson.
Some schools have become more dangerous.
The Brooklyn School for Collaborative Studies reported 379 incidents in 2012-2013, the most of any school and more than double the previous year when it recorded only 140 incidents.
Principal Alyce Barr did not return a call requesting comment.
Education advocates said the city must work more closely with parents to turn around unsafe schools.
“At hundreds of city schools, our children continue to be more likely to have their safety threatened than read or do math at grade level,” said Families for Excellent Schools Jeremiah Kittredge.
Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina said senior officials will continue to monitor schools where violent incidents occur.
“Making sure all our students are supported and can excel in safe learning environment is top priority,” she said.