Charter schools today serve more than 3 million students. Nationally, these students account for approximately 6 percent of all K-12 enrollment, though the percentage is much higher in many communities. Research shows that charter schools on average have a positive impact on student outcomes, and survey data suggest that there are an additional…

Public school systems cannot afford to not institute a specific individual or department to design and monitor their total safety programs. (LH)

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…

As part of its consideration of the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the House Subcommittee on Elementary, Secondary, and Vocational Education met to address the need to maintain schools as safe learning environments. The Safe Schools Act of 1993 had been introduced as the administration's effort to help deal with…

Unsafe conditions in schools impede student learning. This paper describes how an effective conflict-management program can help to create a safe school environment. Such a program should be considered essential to an overall school-safety plan, not regarded as an adjunct to the plan. An effective conflict-management program gives students a…

This booklet examines and evaluates several programs to educate juveniles about the dangers involved in carrying weapons and to provide nonviolent routes to developing self-esteem and personal responsibility. The booklet is based on the experience of the Vera Institute and its partners in planning and testing a weapons education program in…

The Houston Independent School District (HISD) (Texas) was one of 16 districts nationwide to receive a Department of Education Safe Schools Discretionary Grant for the 1995-96 school year. This federally funded violence prevention program was called the HISD Safe Schools Initiative. The grant established a model for integrating existing and new…

By teaching young people how to manage conflict, conflict resolution education can reduce juvenile violence in juvenile facilities, schools, and communities, while providing lifelong decision-making skills. Conflict resolution programs also combat chronic truancy and reduce the number of suspensions and disciplinary referrals. Their potential for…

This monograph examines the issue of school violence and the ways to eliminate it. The goal is to return schools to their status as safe havens for children to learn, achieve, and acquire the skills they need to become successful and productive adults. Section I defines school violence and reviews data on its prevalence. Section II discusses…

Psychological research has demonstrated that violence is learned, and it has identified some factors that put children at risk of perpetrating or being victimized by violence. Because aggression is often learned at an early age, prevention programs that start early in childhood and continue throughout adolescence have the best chance for success.…

By cooperating with other district staff, law enforcement, fire and rescue personnel, and social services, educators can prevail over school violence. First steps are developing a well-trained team, an effective crisis-response plan, and an alternative site to accommodate students. Guidelines and Web sites are provided. (MLH)

The Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities (SDFSC) Act of 1986 provides funding to school districts to supplement local efforts to eliminate drug and alcohol use by their students. In 1995-96, its ninth year of funding, the Austin Independent School District (AISD) (Texas) received $363,720 from the SDFSC grant plus a sum carried over from…