Citation

Scott TM, Nelson CM, Liaupsin CJ. Educ. Treat. Child. 2001; 24(3): 309-322.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, West Virginia University Press)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Incidents of school violence and student misbehavior have received a great deal of media attention. In response, local, state and national policy makers have proposed and implemented a variety of preventive efforts, including zero tolerance policies, metal detectors, and video monitoring. We contend that these strategies reflect narrow definitions of the terms "school violence" and "school safety." Administrators, teachers and students appear to agree that school violence is an issue that encompasses more than instances of injury by physical force. We summarize research showing that behaviors characterized by administrators, teachers, and students as violent and unsafe often are the outcome of a predictable chain of events that begins with academic failure. For this reason, we suggest that efforts to prevent school violence include the promotion of effective academic instruction. By creating schools that facilitate student success, the goal of improving school safety will be addressed.

Language: en