Schools are facing increasing levels of violence spawned by violent media and communities. In response, many educators employ peace education strategies to make schools safer and help students deal positively with conflict. This article summarizes these reform efforts, distinguishes among three levels of peace education, describes resources, and…

Discusses how involving safety and security personnel throughout the planning and design process contributes to better campus safety and security. Security personnels' involvement in the master planning and site selection, building positioning, and floor planning and building form decision making are discussed, including building system design.…

Describes software for electronic visitor management (EVM) called EasyLobbyTM, currently in use in thousands of federal and corporate installations throughout the world and its application for school and campus environments. Explains EasyLobbyTM's use to replace visitor logs, capture and store visitor data electronically, and provide badges that…

School psychologists were surveyed regarding the following aspects of crisis intervention: university preparation, continuing professional development, and current involvement with school crisis plans. Of those receiving university training, 58% believed they were minimally or not at all prepared to deal with school crises. Suicide, violence, and…

Presents the latest indicator data on school crime and student safety, including updates on student and teacher victimization, weapons and fights at school, students' alcohol and marijuana use, and students' reports of drug availability at school. Data present a mixed picture of school safety, with a decline in overall crime rates but continued…

Argues that public perceptions of an epidemic of school violence are media-induced; asserts that violence in schools declined during the 1990s; supports assertion with evidence from the National School Safety Center; states the estimates of bullying in school are exaggerated. (PKP)

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.…

Discusses ways to provide vital safety to schools without inhibiting the learning environment for students. Describes security efforts at Orange County, Florida schools, such as using video cameras, school police officers, and access-control systems. (EV)

Discusses changes in the content of teacher education programs that would prepare teachers to effectively address student violence, discussing the influence of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, recommending that colleges of education assume leadership roles in preparing school personnel to combat student aggression, and noting the…

Administrators risk serious legal challenges when failing to recognize and respond to gang activity; enhance staff knowledge of gang identification/management techniques; establish policies and procedures; report suspected activities to police; pursue conflict mediation; include gang issues in class discussions; follow up on threats; or develop a…

Discusses program changes at Harshman Middle School, in Indianapolis, Indiana, that helped it become a safe, inviting, and invigorating place of learning. Considers the role of principal Marcia Capuano and her initiatives of improving the school health clinic, student assistance program, reading achievement, and community involvement. Describes…

Evaluates the violence prevention effects of The Peacemakers Program , a school-based intervention. The program includes a primary prevention component delivered by teachers and a remedial component implemented by school psychologists and counselors. Results reveal significant, positive program effects on six of the seven variables assessed,…

In response to incidences of school violence and pressure created by standards based education, the authors call for adults to pay close attention to the emotional lives of children they serve. Reminds us that emotional literacy is as critical to our children as mastering reading and writing. Offers suggestions for creating an emotionally…

A study examining student incident-referral data trends at four Palm Beach County high schools shows that the school participating in Peace Education Foundation's Win Win! Program experienced downward referral rates, compared to control schools. Discussing conflict resolution within the school culture fostered better anger management or diplomatic…

James LaVine, a high-school junior, wrote a first-person fantasy about killing 28 people in school and then committing suicide. The district suspended him for 17 days. James and his father filed suit against the school district alleging that the emergency expulsion violated James' First Amendment rights. The District Court ruled for the LaVines…