Preventing and Reducing School Violence

1 Preventing and Reducing School ViolenceFact Sheet #3 Resources and Contacts Prevention Institute 265 29th Street Oakland, CA 94611 (510) 444-PREV(7738) , Resources, and Contacts for Developing Comprehensive SchoolViolence Prevention ProgramsThis fact sheet outlines selected proven and promising prevention initiatives to encourage non- Violence and foster positive relationships among diverse groups of students. It also describes keycharacteristics of successful School Violence prevention programs, including contacts andresources that professionals can use to design Violence prevention activities and gatheradditional of Violence Prevention Interventions That Are Most Likely to Have an ImpactSchool Violence is a complex problem, arising from a web of influences such as family and peerdynamics, School climate, community, and the wider Since the causes of violentbehavior in School are multi-faceted, strategies to address this issue must also operate on avariety of levels.

2 Plans that are developed collaboratively by students, teachers, administrators,parents, health professionals, law enforcement officers, business and community leaders, andother key community groups are more likely to succeed than those prepared by a single group ofprofessionals acting of Effective School -Based Violence Prevention Programs2 A strong commitment to reaching all students and staff with the message that Violence ,harassment, and intolerance are unacceptable in the School Involving all students, staff, parents, and interested community members in learning aboutviolence and how to prevent Eliminating barriers to communication among groups of students Involving students in Violence prevention initiatives as critical and valued Collaborating closely and effectively with community, media, and policing of Effective School Violence Prevention Initiatives Arts: Young people who lack adult supervision are vulnerable to community Violence and gang recruitment during non- School hours.

3 Youth arts programs offer them a safe andconstructive place to go. Rigorous evaluation of three citywide arts programs for at-risk youthfound that these programs decrease involvement in delinquent behavior, increase academicachievement, and improve students attitudes about themselves and their Conflict resolution and peer mediation: Comprehensive conflict resolution programs train selected students to serve as neutral third parties who will mediate disputes among theirpeers. Teachers and administrators are also trained to intervene in student conflicts in ways thatfoster team-building, problem-solving, and leadership skills.

4 By teaching young people how topeacefully resolve their conflicts, and providing them with positive problem-solving strategiesand role models, such programs foster a School climate of respect and caring. Full service schools: Evidence shows that after School , on weekends, and during School vacation, youth Violence ,9,10 Full service schools help to prevent youthviolence by providing safe places for young people to meet and participate in meaningfulactivities during times when they would otherwise be at high-risk for becoming involved incrime or Violence . Full service schools offer comprehensive, integrated activities to address thePreventing and Reducing School ViolenceFact Sheet #3 Resources and Contacts Prevention Institute 265 29th Street Oakland, CA 94611 (510) 444-PREV(7738) , social, emotional, and educational needs of young people and their families andcommunities.

5 They may also provide academic and computer classes, sports activities, jobtraining, leadership and support groups, parenting classes, counseling, drama, art, and musicclasses, and other programs that the community considers important. Peer and adult mentoring: Mentoring programs allow young people to build sustained, positive relationships with older peers and adults, and motivate them to emulatepositive behavior. Such interactions help reduce risk behaviors in students, 11 and create a safeand secure atmosphere in School so that students feel comfortable talking to adults if they needto.

6 Peer mentoring can also help to increase understanding between diverse groups, strengthenthe sense of community within a School , and build the self-esteem of those participating. Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative: The Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative is a federal grants initiative, jointly sponsored by the Department of Education, theDepartment of Justice, and the Department of Health and Human Services. Its goal is to preventyouth Violence and promote healthy child development by promoting comprehensiveeducational, mental health, social, law enforcement, and juvenile justice services.

7 Safe schoolsplans must 1) build a safe School environment, 2) address substance abuse, 3) conduce primary Violence prevention, 4) provide mental healthservices (preventative and treatment) both in School and in the community, early childhoodpsychosocial and emotional development programs, (5) education reform, and (6) safe schoolpolicies. Examples of Selected Violence Prevention Curricula and ProgramsNote: While several of these curricula have been evaluated, others have not. However, allcurricula listed below show great promise for Reducing conflict and Violence in schools andbuilding students skills.

8 In addition, several of these curricula and programs have beenhighlighted as exemplary or promising by the Department of Education, Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program. These programs will be identified with an asterisk(*). Aggressors, Victims, and Bystanders (AVB) Violence Prevention Curriculum* This curriculum examines Violence among peers, including the roles that young people play inpotentially violent situations (aggressor, victim, or bystander). It helps students to understand thedynamics of a situation, define their problems and goals, and generate positive solutions in waysthat will not lead to fights. The curriculum has been found to increase students desire to resolveconflicts peacefully and decrease their acceptance and encouragement of aggression.

9 For moreinformation, contact: Education Development Center, Inc., 55 Chapel Street, Newton, MA02158; Phone: (800) 225-4276; Flashpoint IIThis curriculum explores hate crimes, civil rights, prejudice, and stereotyping, and providesyoung people with skills for analyzing the media s depiction of ethnic, racial, and religiousgroups. It also helps adolescents to build better relationships with diverse groups, and gives themstrategies they can implement and use to help victims. This curriculum has been integrated intothe Massachusetts School system and is currently being evaluated by the Office of JuvenileJustice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP).

10 For more information, contact: Ruth Budelmann, Preventing and Reducing School ViolenceFact Sheet #3 Resources and Contacts Prevention Institute 265 29th Street Oakland, CA 94611 (510) 444-PREV(7738) Program Director, Director of Juvenile Justice Programs, Essex County,Massachusetts, District Attorney Kevin Burke s Office; Phone: (978) 745-6610 x. 155 Healing the Hate: A National Bias Crime Prevention CurriculumThis curriculum helps middle School students to respond to and prevent hate crime. It is based onthe principle that Violence and prejudice are learned and therefore preventable.