Gang affiliation is not something that students leave behind when they come to school. Gang members do not leave their behaviors, attitudes, and conflicts outside the school environment. Gangs, unchecked and unidentified in a school setting, often engage in threat and intimidation; physical and cyber bullying; fighting; recruiting; and criminal…

School communities in both urban and rural settings need trauma-informed (TI) supports; however, the adversities experienced and access to student supports may be unique to rural school communities. In addition, the contextual challenges experienced by rural schools and communities, as well as the strengths that can be drawn from them, will…

Our nation's schools should be safe havens for teaching and learning, free of crime and violence. Any instance of crime or violence at school not only affects the individuals involved, but also may disrupt the educational process and affect bystanders, the school itself, and the surrounding community (Brookmeyer, Fanti, and Henrich 2006;…

Preschool children (N=26) who accompanied their mothers to a battered women's shelter were found to have elevated rates of behavior problems and social competence difficulties. White males appeared more impaired than any other gender/ethnic combination. Abused children and non-abused children who witnessed family violence were compared.…

Addresses the problem of cruelty to animals from a research perspective. Studies of possible causes of childhood cruelty to animals are reviewed and common contributing environmental factors are identified. Implications for educators are discussed and directives for detection and prevention of cruelty are suggested. (ML)

This article offers advice to the classroom teacher for dealing with a child subject to explosive temper tantrums. It discusses why such outbursts may occur; gives a sequence for controlling the tantrum and calming the child; and considers long-term methods for helping the child curb anger and aggression. (SJL)

Offers an approach to dealing with school discipline problems based on the belief that teachers must set rules and consequences, be specific in giving students messages about behavior, visit parents in home and in school, cooperate with administrators and other teachers, and impose punishments for children that they can understand. (FL)

Targeted to special education teachers, this article discusses why students fight and presents strategies for preventing fights among students, including: implementing rules, rewards, and consequences; providing effective instruction; providing a safe and attractive classroom environment; and heeding early warning signs. Strategies for managing…

Discussion of school violence and student misbehavior reviews research showing that violent and unsafe student behaviors are the outcome of a predictable chain of events that begins with academic failure. The paper urges a greater emphasis on effective academic instruction in any efforts to prevent school violence and improve school safety.…

With its roots in clinical and educational psychology, school psychology is an ever-changing field that encompasses a diversity of topics. "The Oxford Handbook of School Psychology" synthesizes the most vital and relevant literature in all of these areas, producing a state-of-the-art, authoritative resource for practitioners,…

This guide presents a brief summary of the research on violence prevention and intervention and crisis response in schools. It tells school communities: (1) what to look for--the early warning signs that relate to violence and other troubling student behavior; and (2) what to do--the action steps that school communities can take to prevent…

This article reframes school violence in the context of educational mission goals so that teachers can understand their role in responding to it and acknowledge their skills in addressing it. The article examines types of violence that occur most frequently in schools, evaluates what is known about teacher preparedness, and encourages educators to…

A 14-month-old was well-treated by his family until 6.5 months old, when his young mother was traumatized, and the child became neglected and physically abused. Explosive destructive behavior not seen in him before was then observed, supporting the hypothesis that the abused become abusers due to excessive unpleasure, which mobilizes their…

This article provides specific guidelines to help teachers: (1) prevent violence and/or weapons violations, (2) manage nonthreatening weapons violations, (3) manage a hostage situation, and (4) manage an explosive situation. Also included is a list of administrative responsibilities during a hostage crisis. (DB)

Provides teachers with basic information needed to prevent and manage aggressive children and youth, specifically, information on stages of crises (frustration stage, defensiveness stage, aggression stage, and self-control stage), effective strategies for each stage, and prevention strategies designed specifically for public school classrooms.…