School climate is an important component of students' experiences, and has implications for multiple future outcomes. However, research examining the relationships among dimensions of school climate is scant. Drawing on theories from neighborhood research, we examine how the presence of school security measures relates to other dimensions of…

Over four years the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) led efforts across the state to implement the Safe and Supportive Schools (S3) initiative. This federally funded school reform effort targeted the 22 lowest performing high schools in Michigan. One of the primary objectives of the initiative was to implement interventions to increase…

As educators, we strive to provide a safe and accepting environment for our students in which to learn. We want our students to feel comfortable so their academic and social success is not hindered. However, as far as we have come in this pursuit, there is still room for growth as there are students who still long for their guarantee of feeling…

This brief paper summarizes findings from research on effective school practices that reduce violence and frequency of behavior problems. It finds that research on schools supports a comprehensive three-level approach to prevention as the most efficient and cost-effective way to reduce violence. Such an approach involves first, a schoolwide…

An incentive program to increase safety belt use was implemented at a large university and was delivered by the campus police during the 1983-1984 academic year. For each of the intervention periods during three academic quarters, the 23 regular police officers recorded the license numbers of vehicles with drivers wearing a shoulder belt, and each…

This study addresses school violence and school drop out and proposes that the underlying factor of school connectedness/school climate should guide preventive and intervention efforts. Data were gathered from five schools in a small city school district in north Georgia. Group and individual interviews served as the basis for constructing a…

Factors that influence principals in decisions related to violence in schools were studied through semi-structured interviews with 12 junior high school principals in a large western Canadian school district. Participants were selected on the basis of their known involvement in school violence prevention initiatives. Several decision-making…

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…

In this presentation, made to the White House Conference on Character and Community, the author advocates creating a preventive intervention system for chronic violence; that scientific research supports this system; that it is cost-beneficial to do so; and that it is necessary in order to help the next generation become productive citizens. He…

The Survey of School-Based Gang Prevention and Intervention Programs is a study of approaches used by schools to reduce or prevent gang involvement among schools. Principals in a probability sample of 1,287 schools were asked what they were doing in their schools to prevent problem behavior or to promote a safe and orderly school environment.…

This study assessed the readiness and practice of specialist-level training programs in school psychology to address the preservice training needs in the area of school violence and youth gang prevention. A survey of 189 programs yielded 90 usable replies describing their training programs. Most of these programs were located in or near midsize…

The deterioration of school environments in conjunction with large numbers of dropouts are related issues of national concern. This longitudinal study evaluates student exposure to unsafe public schools during adolescence as a potential risk factor for dropping out by 10th grade. A panel of 13,217 public school students assessed at base year and 2…

Although Switzerland is a small country, it has a highly diverse population, and with that diversity has come the potential for violence in the schools. In the last 2 or 3 years, school violence has become a major issue in Swiss education. This paper involves an intervention undertaken by specially trained school psychologists to reduce violence…

This document is comprised of summaries of six papers presented at a symposium on the Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative, a federal grant to school districts intended to promote health and safety in schools and communities. The Initiative was designed to confront school violence, safety, and mental health needs through the provision of a…

Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings joined President Bush, Mrs. Bush, and Attorney General Gonzales at a Conference on School Safety on October 10, 2006. Teachers, parents, administrators, law enforcement officials, and other experts discussed best practices and lessons learned about school safety during the conference at the National 4-H…