Schools are accountable for providing all students a safe and caring learning environment. When a child feels unsafe at school, personal relationships, mental health, and academics are negatively affected. The entire school community -- staff, parents, and students -- must work together to develop an effective safe school program. A carefully…

Jonathan Cohen and Dorothy L. Espelage, two leading authorities in the fields of school climate and prevention science, have gathered experts from around the globe to highlight policy and practice recommendations for supporting children and adolescents to feel and be safe in school. Featuring analysis and commentaries from experts in public…

School violence and bullying are two public health concerns with consequences for youth in and out of school, for families, students, and community members. In this article, a social-ecological framework is briefly described as a way to understand bullying and school violence; then the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) longitudinal…

No parental instinct is as intense and fundamental as protecting one's child from harm. For parents of children with autism, safety risks become magnified because of challenges resulting from fixations with narrow interests, limited situational awareness, and sensory and communication issues. So why should parents expect to do it all alone? We…

In recent years, bullying seems to have become more serious and more pervasive. Research indicates that 15% to 20% of all students are victimized by bullies at some point in their school careers. Clearly, bullying is a problem that schools must recognize and address. Bullying has three distinguishing characteristics: (1) it is intentional; (2) it…

In December 1997 the Center for Women Policy Studies convened a Summit on Girls and Violence in Washington, D.C. The Summit brought together researchers, advocates, educators, funders, and policymakers to strategize about how to shape further research, bring attention to the issues, and muster the national will to end violence affecting girls and…

In 1998, the Justice Policy Institute published "School House Hype: School Shootings and the Real Risks Kids Face," a report that examined the issue of school safety, and concluded that schools are the safest places for children to be. This report, inspired in part by recent school shootings, attempts to place the question of school violence and…

Children and adolescents, up to approximately age 20, are more susceptible than adults to potential health risks from chemicals and environmental hazards. Hazardous chemicals can interrupt or alter the normal development of a child's body, leading to lasting damage. Since children are smaller than adults, similar levels of exposure to toxic…

The display of antisocial behavior by children and youths in America is recognized as one of the most pressing concerns facing educators today. To meet the educational needs of these students while maintaining safe school environments, school districts across the nation have increasingly looked toward alternative educational programs.…

Reflects on the moral world of children who have committed acts of lethal violence. Young killers do not see any positive alternatives at the moment of violence. When they kill, they are seeking justice--as they see it. Emphasizes the importance of adults stimulating the development of empathy and spirituality. (SLD)

An increasing fear over violence in schools has prompted recent requests for psychologists, educators, and law enforcement professionals to assist in preventing future incidents of violence. This paper attempts to lay a foundation for developing effective assessment and prevention approaches by first distinguishing planned school-based attacks…

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…

Designed as a "Participant's Manual" to be used as part of a "Chemical and Mercury Management in Schools Training," this document focuses on the policies and programs needed at the school and district level for safe and sustainable chemical and mercury management practices. This document is designed primarily for school…

The Task Force on School Violence was convened to generate recommendations to key state policy makers to stem the rising tide of violence on school campuses. This report presents the task force's conclusions in two sections: (1) Findings; and (2) Recommendations. In their findings, the task force identified some key elements of prevention…

This guide was developed in response to a state act. The state's Board of Education was required to develop a list of recommended conflict resolution and mediation materials, models, and curricula that address responsible decision making, the causes and effects of school violence and harassment, cultural diversity, and nonviolent methods for…