Padukah, Kentucky… Jonesboro, Arkansas... Springfield, Oregon…
As the horror of school violence has hit each of these quiet communities, concern has echoed far and wide. Violence no longer feels like something that happens "somewhere else." While media reports have tallied the loss of lives and bemoaned the loss of innocence, educators have been asking hard questions:
- "How could this happen?"
- "How safe are our schools?"
- "What can we do to prevent school violence?"
There are no simple or easy answers. Violence is a complex problem that extends well beyond the schoolhouse walls. It includes a wide range of behaviors, most of them far less sensational than the rare incidents that earn headlines. Violence of all types has become so commonplace in America that it no longer surprises us. Indeed, we have grown to expect it (Centers for Disease Control, 1993). Some authors on the subject warn that acts of violence in public schools have reached the level of "forseeability," and that schools must plan for this harsh reality (Bachus, 1994).
Educators have good reasons to concern themselves with violence. The fear of violence gets in the way of the business of learning. Violence at school—or even the perception of danger—can erode community support for public education (Noguera, 1996). Efforts to react to school violence may take resources away from other worthy school programs. Schools operating with a climate of fear may find it difficult to attract and retain good teachers (Rossman & Morley, 1996).
On a more encouraging note, there are many positive reasons for educators to become involved in violence prevention. Safer schools tend to be more effective schools, experiencing higher academic achievement and fewer disciplinary problems (Drug Strategies, 1998; Heaviside et al., 1998). Well-designed violence-prevention programs can enhance students’ problem-solving skills, increase their self-esteem, and help them bond with the institution of school (Kenney & Watson, 1996).
This booklet presents information intended to cut through the hype and hysteria that often surrounds the subject of school violence. It offers an overview of current research on school violence prevention, outlines some practical ideas for use in the classroom, and takes a look at what schools around the Northwest are doing to address this serious issue.
