The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to examine the nature and causes of school discipline problems and school violence including an increase in the number of racial, cultural, and class hostility incidents; and (2) to offer remedies which might help alleviate disruptions to the learning process. Eight middle schools with a total of 3,212 black and 6,460 white students were surveyed to identify the most frequent incidents of rule violations and school violence by ethnicity. Findings indicated that a larger percentage of black students engaged in fighting, caused disturbances in class, showed disrespect for authority, violated school rules, and cut classes than did white students. Suggested remedies for alleviating the violence and discipline problems in public schools are offered including: clearly defining the school's mission and culture; considering the consequences of judicial mandates such as busing, racial quotas, and student due process; acknowledging cultural and ethnic differences in lifestyles, values, and beliefs; lowering the mandatory school attendance age to 14 years; and establishing transition schools for disruptive students, peer mediation teams, and compulsory orientation programs to teach the school's culture to all students. (LL)