This book-for school administrators, school resource officers, teachers, and interested parents-is a guide for developing prevention and response plans to handle threats and violence in schools. With a focus on practical measures, it provides step-by-step advice on early identification of problems, intervention and prevention techniques, and…

In 1997, the Wake County Public Schools, North Carolina, began a 3-year community-wide collaboration between existing programs and agencies expressly intended to coordinate efforts to serve at-risk children and their families. The Safe Schools Healthy Students grant program was built on 17 strategies aimed at addressing risk. Strategy 17 called…

The Wake County Public School System (WCPSS), North Carolina, has conducted surveys of high school students at intervals since 1994. Surveys have provided information about student perceptions of safety at school, school climate, quality of instruction, and specific programs and initiatives. In the spring term of 2001, the survey was distributed…

The Wake County Public School System (WCPSS), North Carolina, has conducted surveys of parents at intervals since 1991. Surveys are now conducted annually as required by legislation. Surveys have provided important information about parent perceptions of individual schools, the quality of education, the system overall, and specific programs and…

Asserting that toxic chemicals can be found throughout school grounds in pesticides, building materials, school supplies, cleaning products, office equipment, and personal care products, this reports details the prevalence of toxic chemicals within schools and recommends methods for reducing exposure. Following an executive summary, the report…

An evaluation checklist is provided for assessing a school's strengths and weaknesses relative to the safety and security of buildings and grounds, as well as assessing development and enforcement of policies, the presence of intervention and prevention plans, staff development, parent and community involvement, opportunities for student…

This handbook was prepared to help science teachers, administrators, and other school staff members understand and avoid situations in which accidents might occur in the science laboratory, on field trips, or during outdoor education experiences. Suggestions contained in this publication are generally agreed upon and recommended for consideration…

This brief presents an overview of a comprehensive school safety plan that combines calm and sound attention to the violence that currently pervades children's lives. With regard to the absolute probability of encountering violence or being victimized by crime, schools are the social setting in which students are most protected and least likely to…

This guidebook provides maintenance and operations guidelines for managing General Services Administration (GSA) child care centers within the same standards and level of a GSA operated facility. Areas covered address cleaning standards and guidelines; equipment funding and inventory; maintenance of living environments and problem areas;…

Data collecting forms are provided for conducting a public school safety assessment screening inventory for the school's physical, social, and cultural environment. Data sheets assess traffic control, surveillance, access control, safety devices and equipment, and safety provisions and planning. Directions for using the assessment forms are…

This training manual begins with a graph depicting trends in schoolplace violence from 1993-1999. Next is a table displaying the parallels between workplace and schoolplace violence. A list of the elements included in a psychological profile of schoolplace violent offenders is provided. The four types of students involved in schoolplace violence…

This paper, based on a study conducted in Tennessee in fall 1998, discusses ways that teachers perceived issues concerning safety and violence within their schools. The data were collected at three "Safe Schools" conferences for teachers, school administrators, and law-enforcement officers; 263 usable questionnaires were collected. The…

This speech addresses the impact of schools on teaching and learning, and explains the need to evaluate the following three influences of physical school settings: health and safety factors; ambient environmental factors; and curriculum-based environmental factors. Also addressed are the influences of school and classroom size, and the need for…

This paper presents a theoretical and historical treatment of juvenile violence in the United States, examines some current data on juvenile violence in and out of schools, and discusses the implications for educational leadership policy decisions. Sociological and social-psychological theories have tried to explain the intensifying violent…

Psychologists who are experienced in crisis response present a framework for a proactive response to tragedy. An introductory chapter presents an overview. Chapter 2 offers a brief review of crisis theory. Chapter 3 contains a review of strategies for starting crisis-response plans. Chapter 4 reviews recommendations for securing a commitment to…