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NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER FOR SAFE SCHOOLS
Center services supported a comprehensive approach to the development of safe school plans by schools and communities to build a solid foundation of programs that embrace diversity, build resiliency, and provide educational programming within the context of comprehensive school improvement plans. Comprehensive safe school plans contain such essential components as positive schoolwide behavior and academic standards for all students; sensible schoolwide safe school policies; active and engaging school/community partnerships; secure facilities and crisis response plans; early identification, intervention, and referral of antisocial and violent children and youth; and a safe school planning team that is linked to the overall school improvement planning efforts. The center, established in 1998 through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), collaborated with state educational agencies, state and local juvenile justice agencies, state school safety centers, professional organizations, and technical assistance providers and networks across the country. Its funding ended and work was completed in the fall of 2002. CENTER COMPONENTSSafe School PlansThe center provided assistance to schools and communities in developing safe school plans for implementing and sustaining a targeted, comprehensive set of activities. Information DisseminationThe center disseminated information on safe school issues and concerns, highlighting effective programs, prevention strategies, best practices, training opportunities, and other resources. National Network for Safe SchoolsThe center worked to refine effective training materials, methods, research-based information, and protocols on school safety in collaboration with a national advisory committee, state educational and juvenile justice agencies, the Hamilton Fish Consortium on School and Community Violence, state school safety centers, and other training and technical assistance providers. MAJOR 2002 ACCOMPLISHMENTSA National Safe Schools Conference was conducted in Washington, D.C., in partnership with National Law Related Education organizations. The conference provided a wide range of training workshops and panel discussions for educators, administrators, and state education agencies on information that supports the creation of safe learning environments. The Safety Zone newsletter and Safe Schools Fact Sheets were developed and copies were distributed nationwide. A series of technical assistance guides on essential components of school safety were created with the assistance of national experts. Topics include school policies and legal issues, schoolwide prevention and intervention strategies, and partnerships among schools and law enforcement agencies. Materials from the center and its major program stands were incorporated into the work of NWREL's Comprehensive Center. |
he National Resource Center for Safe Schools provided training and technical assistance to schools and communities throughout the country to create and maintain safe learning environments free of crime and violence.
