The report, which was based on visits to 15 elementary, middle and high schools, also concluded that school officials have failed to create a comprehensive security plan or conduct risk assessments to address the needs of each school.
"The District's schools remain vulnerable to planned or random acts of violence that could otherwise be reduced through improved security measures and the implementation of sound policy guidelines," the report says.
The study was part of a series of reports on school security being conducted by the inspector general's office. Last week, the agency issued an audit that said the school system had failed to keep adequate records about crimes on school grounds.
Among the recommendations in yesterday's report was that school officials coordinate with D.C. police, fire and emergency medical personnel to fix inoperative surveillance equipment and secure entry doors at schools.
This month, the school system's security director, Theodore C. Tuckson, and D.C. Police Chief Charles H. Ramsey announced details of a reorganization that will shift the main responsibility for security from the school system to police to implement legislation passed by the D.C. Council.
The report says schools have far too many unlocked and unguarded entry doors. For example, one of the city's largest high schools has two buildings with 32 entrances that include 60 or more doors on the ground and basement levels, the report says. It says most of those doors were unguarded and unmonitored, and most lacked an audible alarm.
