Executive Summary

1.  A Guide to Safe Schools

2.  Characteristics of a School That Is Safe and Responsive to All Children

3.  Early Warning Signs

4.  Intervention: Getting Help for Troubled Children

5.  Developing a Prevention and Response Plan

6.  Responding to Crisis

7.  Conclusion

8.  Methodology, Contributors, and Research Support

Resources

Crises involving sudden violence in schools are traumatic in large measure because they are rare and unexpected. Everyone is touched in some way. In the wake of such a crisis, members of the school community are asked — and ask themselves — what could have been done to prevent it.

We know from the research that schools can meet the challenge of reducing violence. The school community can be supported through:

• School board policies that address both prevention and intervention for troubled children and youth.

• Schoolwide violence prevention and response plans that include the entire school community in their development and implementation.

• Training in recognizing the early warning signs of potential violent behavior.

• Procedures that encourage staff, parents, and students to share their concerns about children who exhibit early warning signs.

• Procedures for responding quickly to concerns about troubled children.

• Adequate support in getting help for troubled children.

Everyone who cares about children cares about ending violence. It is time to break the silence that too often characterizes even the most well-meaning school communities. Research and expert-based information is available for school communities to use in developing and strengthening programs that can prevent crises.

School safety is everyone's job. Teachers, administrators, parents, community members, and students all must commit to meeting the challenge of getting help for children who show signs of being troubled.

"Coordinated school efforts can help. But the solution does not just rest in the schools. Together we must develop solutions that are community-wide and coordinated, that include schools, families, courts, law enforcement, community agencies, representatives of the faith community, business, and the broader community."

Wilmer Cody, Kentucky Commissioner of Education

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