Disasters and emergencies can and do occur in schools. Presented here are 10 steps principals can follow in developing a formal emergency preparedness plan that is up-to-date and operable. (MD)

The presence of a uniformed police officer at a suburban Tennessee high school has benefited both staff and students. The policewoman receives full cooperation from all staff--custodians, teachers, secretaries, and principals. The school uses community policing, which consists of getting to know the public and finding out where they need help.…

Reviews contents of "Safe Schools: A Handbook for Practitioners" (1994), produced by NASSP and Dyncorp. Part one introduces the first comprehensive methodology for identifying a school's security problems, evaluating potential solutions, and creating an implementation plan. The second part includes the tools, worksheets, and surveys needed to…

Physical measures such as weapons checks and metal detectors are inadequate to forestall school violence. The key to managing crises is a trained, broad-based crisis-intervention team and a crisis-management plan. Team responsibilities include developing an intervention plan, coordinating with community services, educating and training staff, and…

Juvenile gang activity is not limited to low-income, inner-city youth. In February 1990, suburban Santa Rosa (California) junior high school curbed emergent gang-related activities on campus. Action plan depended on positive school climate emphasizing safety and security, early identification of gang members and possible recruits, intervention…

The School Discipline Climate Survey provides information about current levels of staff expectation and satisfaction for each of 13 subscales (attendance policies, discipline policies, staff training, communication, efficiency, parent support, due process/consistency, safe environment, discipline teamwork, strategic planning, penalties,…

Proponents of school uniforms claim many beneficial advantages: improved academic performance, student safety, discipline, and school morale. Opponents say uniform policies violate the First Amendment and will not dramatically improve student performance. School leaders must juggle two conflicting ideals of justice: a student's right to freedom of…

A student describes various school security programs and concludes that the most essential ingredient for success is the cooperative involvement of all parts of the school community. (Editor)

Most courts have flexibly interpreted the constitutional requirement of procedural and substantive due process in favor of zero-tolerance expulsion decisions. While being sensitive to community intolerance for threats to school safety (student possession of guns or drugs), school leaders should modulate development and enforcement of expulsion…

To protect schools against violent intruders, principals are advised to reexamine plant security, control and monitor school access, upgrade supervision quality during outside activities, develop neighbors' security awareness, keep accurate records of unusual occurrences, work with local law enforcement, investigate private security services, seek…

In peer mediation, students can resolve conflicts and orchestrate their own solutions. According to the National Association for Mediation in Education, school-based mediation teaches students how to deal with anger constructively, communicate feelings without using violence and abusive language, think creatively about alternative solutions, and…

Educational philosopher Jane Martin believes educators should reconceptualize the production-oriented schoolhouse as the "schoolhome," responsible for teaching both the three R's and the three C's: care, concern, and connection (the "reproductive" aspects of society). Personal development, collaborative problem solving, and…

Although classes to create student self-esteem and antigang programs are gaining in popularity, most school districts have not used available technology to help create safer campuses. Increased availability of telephones and two-way radios would enhance school security, along with incorporation of newer technologies such as computers, digitized…

Violence-prevention measures at railroad crossings may not work at schools! This special issue highlights three approaches to dealing with youth violence: prevention (peace building); intervention (peace making); and security (peace keeping). The problem stems from incivility, lack of respect, and unconstructive communication. Diverse perspectives…

A high school principal explains her strategy for turning around a disorderly, gang-ridden middle school. Her discipline plan's success hinged on developing schoolwide expectations for behavior, developing positive consequences, compiling a list of unacceptable behaviors, and empowering teachers to administer consequences, including contacting…