Over the past three decades, much of the conversation about LGBTQ students in schools has centered on safety--anti-bullying policies, the "safe space" of gay-straight alliances, and "safe zones" marked by rainbow-colored stickers on classroom doors. In this article, Michael Sadowski argues that it's time to move beyond safety…

Research shows that social isolation and bullying can profoundly affect students' sense of affiliation with school and thus hamper their ability to learn. In a survey of middle-grades students in three diverse schools, the authors found variations among the schools with regard to the extent to which students felt safe in school, the locations…

School shootings are one symptom of a larger problem: the breakdown of community, mutual caring, and moral orientation. For many students, character and virtues will be acquired only in school. Curricular and instructional approaches to character education vary, along with strategies to encourage student discussion. (Contains 9 references.) (MLH)

Describes several common misconceptions about bullying. For example, everyone knows what bullying is; boys will be boys. Discusses development and implementation of bullying prevention strategies to make playgrounds and hallways safe by improving supervision, developing specific routines, and incorporating social-emotional learning. Also…

Following a bullying episode at a rural Alberta junior high school, staff created a zero-tolerance policy (of automatic suspensions or expulsions) toward future incidents. Administrators should be proactive in dealing with student violence, use a multifaceted approach, form an advisory program, consider group dynamics, refrain from…

The key to violence prevention lies in shaping children's beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors before violence becomes an automatic manifestation of their anger. The Johnson Institute's Respect and Protect program promotes respect for everyone and a systemwide ethos (violence as unacceptable), targets enabling behaviors, distinguishes between…

Violence-prevention policies stress high-tech security measures and zero tolerance over compassion. Student policing is intensifying, despite declining youth violence, rarity of shootings, and failure of police protection. Suburban youth violence is rooted in masculinity misconceptions and sexual harassment. Education, not retribution, should…