Reviews the history of violence in schools, focusing on types and frequencies of violence and the factors that are related to school-based violence. Presents strategies that teachers and other school staff can use to decrease the likelihood of violence. (SLD)

Explores the social and legal climates that have promoted disorder in many schools. In the current educational environment, students have rights that were not applicable in earlier eras. In addition, disciplinary practices for students in special education are having an impact on discipline strategies for other students. Describes court decisions…

Administrators can prepare for crisis situations by conducting safety assessments at all schools and district facilities, involving community resources, updating district and school discipline and crisis-communication plans, establishing a crisis-intervention team, providing staff training, establishing "suspicious behavior" reporting procedures,…

Violence-prevention measures at railroad crossings may not work at schools! This special issue highlights three approaches to dealing with youth violence: prevention (peace building); intervention (peace making); and security (peace keeping). The problem stems from incivility, lack of respect, and unconstructive communication. Diverse perspectives…

Discussion of the Department of Education's 1998 publication, "Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools," stresses the importance of violence prevention by providing a supportive schoolwide climate and responding early to at-risk students' academic and behavioral problems. Early imminent warning signs are highlighted, as…

Describes how indoor air quality can be built into new construction projects through early planning. Advises planners to address the building design on two levels: consider long-range plans for the building, and scrutinize the building's systems. Suggests that building products be reviewed, target products be screened, and testing be conducted.…

Explains the pitfalls of school-renovation projects to enable the school principal to make more informed decisions in the interest of school safety and the educational program. Discusses the principal's involvement in the collaboration process for facility planning and in coping with construction. (GR)

Argues that schoolwide interventions can potentially buffer students from violence outside of schools and prevent violence within schools, and examines the Comer School Development Program (CSDP) as an example of a successful schoolwide intervention. It reveals how the CSDP creates a "safe haven" that supports healthy development,…

Describes a health-and-safety risk-management audit in four Queensland, Australia high schools. One major outcome of this research project is the development of a comprehensive risk-management policy in compliance with the law. Other outcomes include the preparation of a professional-development package in risk-management policy for use as a…

Many schools and educational programs are successfully responding to the problem of student violence. This article explores a variety of techniques that include school or program-wide initiatives, partnerships, or collaborations with outside agencies; partnerships with families; and classroom curricula that help youth learn to resolve conflicts…

Describes a comprehensive school-based conflict-resolution approach designed by two school-based social workers and implemented in an "alternative" urban high school over a two-year period. Results indicate that a more cooperative atmosphere developed in the school as a result of the program and that the program was effective in reducing both…

Identifies the characteristics of alienated students as well as proactive factors, such as well-developed social skills, religious commitment, and sense of optimism, which serve to safeguard these students and promote their competence and adaptation. Proposes that in their efforts to curb school violence, counselors should become proactive and…

Focuses on a critical redefinition of the future school counselor as leader in promoting educational reform and meeting national and state educational objectives inclusive of creating healthy, safe school environments. Proposes that school counselors should play a major role in facilitating and leading interagency and interdisciplinary…

Introduces a group activity in which students build a catapult. Includes a list of materials required for catapult construction and directions for testing. (YDS)

In today's society, teachers are more apt to be sued than ever before; it is important, therefore, that they know exactly what negligence means to themselves and their students. The framework of a negligence case (duty, breach, cause, and harm) is explained, and a teacher self-test is provided. (SM)