This article introduces a special issue focusing on antisocial behavior in schools. It summarizes following articles on the prevention of violence and other antisocial behavior and concludes schools need to replace shortsighted, reactive approaches to student discipline with approaches that address the causes of antisocial behavior. (Contains…

Common reasons that young people choose to carry firearms outside of school--protection, intimidation of others, or to be like their peers--are the same reasons they carry guns into the school. This fact sheet presents statistics regarding the prevalence of firearms amongst students in American schools, including: shooting fatalities and woundings…

This brief presents an overview of effective strategies for developing prosocial attitudes and behaviors in elementary school children. The description of approaches and activities can help educators integrate an antiviolence education program into their schools and classrooms, select a program to implement from many models in use around the…

Rural Underpinnings for Resiliency and Linkages (RURAL) is an example of a Safe Schools/Healthy Students project. Using a public health approach to increase school safety and promote healthy behaviors, RURAL introduced strategies designed to provide universal prevention for the school population, early intervention for at-risk children and…

Describes the Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative in Morton High School District 201, Cicero, IL, which used a social ecological systems perspective to implement its goals. Social-emotional learning and violence-prevention strategies were provided at the levels of the community, school, and individual. Creation of a safe school environment…

Reports findings of national survey on school violence in Israel. Revealed high rates of violence in all areas and among all age groups, but relatively higher rates of low-level violent behaviors and lower rates of more severe violent events. Reports on age-related, gender, and cultural differences; discusses social workers' roles in shaping…

Reviews selected commercially published and research literature curricula and procedures available for violence prevention efforts in the school setting. Posits primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention model as useful model for school-based efforts. Addresses those programs and procedures considered to have potential for effective outcomes when…

The author shares five basic conclusions about why boys turn to violence, and provides suggestions parents and professionals can use in their efforts to save them and make schools and communities safer places for all youth. (Author)

Presents a blueprint from Project ACHIEVE toward effective school discipline, safety, and crisis prevention that provides an example of how school psychologists can expand their role using organizational and strategic planning principles and activities as well as to alert school psychologists as to a field-tested process that addresses the…

Changing school cultures is a complex process. This article describes collaboration between students and teachers in developing a resource manual to improve student conduct and reduce violence in schools. The development of the manual and its final contents are described. (MKA)

School psychologists are often asked to respond to student violence based on incomplete information about the nature and scope of these problems. Compares the methods and findings of three national surveys of students to understand what methodological characteristics have the most salient impact on their findings. Results suggest that student…

At the request of the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, the National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities (NCEF) has conducted "a literature search and review to identify best practices in [school] building design for accommodating the evacuation and sheltering needs of individuals with special needs or…

Like all teens, sexual minority youths (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) face many challenges, including student-on-student sexual orientation harassment. The authors examine recent research into the relative frequency, the potential impact, and school district responsibility to protect sexual minority youths from ongoing…

Learning cannot take place in an atmosphere of fear or intimidation. The goal of today's schools must be to develop strategies and provide resources that will reduce acts of student violence in both number and intensity. This paper identifies the characteristics of well-disciplined schools: clearly identified relevant curriculum goals, an emphasis…

This brief presents an overview of a comprehensive school safety plan that combines calm and sound attention to the violence that currently pervades children's lives. With regard to the absolute probability of encountering violence or being victimized by crime, schools are the social setting in which students are most protected and least likely to…