Every community in this nation wants safe, orderly school campuses, but we remain far from reaching that objective. Crime and safety issues continue to plague America's schools and to interfere with the education of our children. This document provides a framework for school improvement that specifically addresses crime and safety. Chapter 1, "The Safe School Challenge," presents legal, ethical, and educational rationales supporting the importance of safe school planning; a blending of goals for safe schools and effective schools provides the best basis for successful planning. Chapter 2, "The Safe School Model," outlines a safe school model consisting of four interacting components that each contribute to the overall school environment. Chapter 3, "Planning for Safe Schools," examines considerations in forming and motivating a broad-based committee along with the skills, methods, and steps needed to implement a comprehensive and collaborative planning process. Chapter 4, "Safe School Strategies and Actions," presents possible actions and strategies for prevention, intervention, and restructuring programs keyed to each of the four school environment components. The appendices, containing technical data for developing a safe school plan, include the "California State Board of Education's Policy on School Safety, Discipline, and Attendance"; sample questionnaires; checklists; planning forms; and 12 references. (KM)