Safe Learning Environments

Overview

Violence has become part of the fabric of our society. It is pervasive on television, in sports, music, video games, and even in our schools and workplaces. Schools are no longer safe havens for children. The Educational Development Center (1996) found that only half of the children felt safe in school. Approximately 160,000 students per day miss school because they fear physical harm (Educational Development Center, 1996). Students cannot learn in an unsafe environment. A welcoming environment is particularly important for those students who are struggling in school and need extra support.

Safe Learning Environments Are Needed

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) gathered statistics for the 1999-2000 school year and reported:

  • approximately 5,000 instances of rape or other types of sexual battery;
  • about 12,000 incidents of physical attacks or fights involving weapons;
  • around 23,000 robberies;
  • approximately 806,000 fights or physical attacks not involving weapons;
  • about 218,000 thefts; and
  • around 211, 000 acts of vandalism (National Center for Education Statistics, 2003).

It is important that social and behavior problems be identified in the lower elementary grades. Antisocial and aggressive behaviors are strong predictors for dropping out of school. Early intervention is important to head of future problems (Duttweiler and Smink, 1997). It’s obvious that violence prevention and conflict resolution are important for all students, not just those at-risk of dropping out. A comprehensive safe school plan is vital to the well-being of the students. Approximately 30 states have passed legislation recommending that every school develop a safe school plan. The No Child Left Behind Act provides for identifying and labeling “persistently dangerous” schools. Students in these schools have the option of transferring to a safe school within their district.

What Is A Safe Learning Environment?

It is difficult to create a balance between a safe school and a welcoming, caring environment. It is important to create a school climate that does not tolerate bullying, intimidation, and terrorism. Students who are afraid often stay away from school. A safe learning environment is focused on academic achievement, maintaining high standards, fostering positive relationships between staff and students, and encouraging parental and community involvement.

Resolving conflict and preventing violence are important factors in creating a safe learning environment. Students respond to conflict by confronting it, usually in a violent manner, or avoiding it. Neither of these responses helps them to learn how to deal with conflict in an appropriate way. Students need to learn effective interpersonal skills to cope in group situations (Hamby, 1999). It is important for students to know how to deescalate conflict, manage it, and resolve it (Schargel & Smink, 2001).

Safe school planning is an ongoing, comprehensive process which should involve the entire community. The plan should cover behavioral and property aspects of crime prevention. There are seven basic steps in the planning process:

  1. Identify your safe school planning committee members;
  2. Assess data on school crime;
  3. Identify school safety strategies and programs;
  4. Ensure that school procedures comply with existing laws related to schools;
  5. Hold a public meeting before your school adopts the plan;
  6. Make the plan available for public review; and
  7. Amend the plan once a year, as needed (Stephens, 2004, p. 80).

Expected Benefits

For students to learn, they must attend school. A welcoming and accepting environment motivates students to attend school. Research has shown that school violence also has an impact on the community. Forty percent of boys identified as bullies had three or more convictions by age 24 (Fight Crime, 2003, p. 5).

Impact of Safe Learning Environments

Anti-bullying and anti-aggression programs have proven to be effective in reducing misbehavior, vandalism and general delinquency (Fight Crime, 2003). Students dropout of school for many reasons, but violence and conflict are contributing factors to placing students at-risk.

References

  • Duttweiler, P. C., & Smink, J. (1997). Critical strategies for effective dropout prevention. School Safety Journal, 4-9.
  • Educational Development Center, Inc. (1996, May). Schools and violence. National Network of Violence Prevention Practitioners Fact Sheet, Vol. 1, No. 3. Washington, DC: Author.
  • Fight Crime: Invest in Kids. Bullying prevention is crime prevention. Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved Sept. 22, 2003, from:www.fightcrime.org/reports/BullyingReport.pdf.
  • Hamby, J. V. (1999). Developing a comprehensive violence prevention plan: A practical guide. Clemson, SC: National Dropout Prevention Center/Network.
  • National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). (1996-97). Violence and discipline problems in U.S. public schools. U.S. Department of Education.
  • Schargel, F. P., & Smink, J. (2001). Strategies to Help Solve our School Dropout Problem. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education.
  • Stephens, R. D. (2004). Creating safe learning environments. In F. P. Schargel & J. Smink (Eds), Helping students graduate: A strategic approach to dropout prevention. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education.
  • Talley, S. (1999). What does it take to reform a low-performing school? Office of Educational Research: National Institute on the Education of At-Risk Students. Baltimore, MD.
  • U.S. Department of Education and Justice. (1998). Annual report on school safety. NCES 98-251/NCJ 172251. Washington, DC: Author.

Safe Learning Environment Resources

NDPC Materials 
 Understanding Dropout Prevention: Strategies to Support Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Webinar . (2018). 

The 15 Effective Strategies for Dropout Prevention Online Courses: Overview Course . (2017). National Dropout Prevention Center/Network.

Coalition of Caring: Developing a Trauma-Sensitive School Culture . (2017). National Dropout Prevention Center/Network.

The 15 Effective Strategies for Dropout Prevention Online Courses: Safe Learning Environments . (2017). National Dropout Prevention Center/Network.

A School and Police Department Partnership . (2017). Solutions to the Dropout Crisis .

Creating a Trauma-Informed Care School . (2017). Solutions to the Dropout Crisis .

Introducing Solutions to the Dropout Crisis Magazine . (2017). Solutions to the Dropout Crisis .

Addis, S., & Withington, C. (2016, September). Improving high school graduate rates for males of color: Trends, findings, and recommendations (An Issue Brief in Collaboration with The Moriah Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation).

NDPC/N Newsletter: Cyberbullying . (2016).

Four Overview Perspectives on Engaging Students . (2016).  Solutions to the Dropout Crisis .

A Customizable Approach to Restorative Justice School Discipline: Replacing Ineffective, Punitive Consequences with Human-Centered Educational Practices . (2016).  Solutions to the Dropout Crisis .

Reducing the Use of Seclusion and Restraint in Schools . (2015).  Solutions to the Dropout Crisis .

School Transformation Through a Social and Emotional Learning Based Freshman Seminar . (2015).  Solutions to the Dropout Crisis. 

Schargel, F. P.  (2014). Creating Safe Schools: A Guide for School Leaders, Teachers, Counselors, and Parents . London: Routledge.

Journal of At-Risk Issues – Volume 18, Number 2   . (2014).

Making Sense of the Evidence: A Review of Dropout Prevention Strategies . (2014). Solutions to the Dropout Crisis .

Strait, J. (Ed.). (2014).  NDPC/N Newsletter: Cultural Competence: A Look at Minnesota   .

Reaching and Teaching the Reluctant Learner . (2014). Solutions to the Dropout Crisis .

A Place Where They Want To Be . (2014). Solutions to the Dropout Crisis .

The Good News About Cheating . (2013). Solutions to the Dropout Crisis .

School Climate: Why Is It Important? . (2012). Solutions to the Dropout Crisis .

McGrane, G. (2011).  Building Authentic Relationships With Youth At Risk . Professional Development Series .

The 15 Effective Strategies for Dropout Prevention . (2011). Solutions to the Dropout Crisis .

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports: What Does PBIS Have to Do With Prevention? . (2011).  Solutions to the Dropout Crisis .

McGrane, G. (2010).  Building Authentic Relationships with Youth At Risk . Effective Strategies . Clemson, SC : National Dropout Prevention Center/Network.

School Climate Through Students’ Eyes . (2010). Solutions to the Dropout Crisis .

Building Authentic Relationships with Youth At Risk . (2009).  Solutions to the Dropout Crisis .

Dropout Prevention in the Digital Society . (2009).  Solutions to the Dropout Crisis .

Addressing Bullying in Schools: An Introduction to the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program . (2008).  Solutions to the Dropout Crisis .

National Dropout Prevention Center/Network (2008).  Video: Doris Settles Talks About Cyber-Bullying .

National Dropout Prevention Center/Network (2008).  Video: The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program in Action .

Smink, J., & Schargel, F. P. (Eds.). (2004).  Helping Students Graduate: A Strategic Approach To Dropout Prevention . Larchmont, NY : Eye On Education.

Rogers, M. (1994).  Resolving Conflict Through Peer Mediation .  Solutions and Strategies.

Publications

Musu-Gilette, L., Zhang, A., Wang, K., Zhang, J., and Oudekerk, B.A. (2017). Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2016 (NCES 2017-065/NCJ250650). National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, and Bureau of Justice Statistics, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Washington, DC   .

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2016). Sexual Identity, Sex of Sexual Contacts, and Health-Related Behaviors Among Students in Grades 9–12—United States and Selected Sites, 2015

U.S. Department of Education. (2016). Newcomer Tool Kit [Online guidebook].

Apthorp, H. S. (2016). Where American Indian Students Go to School: Enrollment in Seven Central Region States .

Michaelis, B., & Schlozman, S. C. (n.d.) Bullying awareness guidebook: Students staying safe in school [Online guidebook].

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Best Practices in Bullying Prevention and Intervention .

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Misdirections in Bullying Prevention and Intervention .

Hanson, T., & Voight, A. (2014).  The appropriateness of a California student and staff survey for measuring middle school climate .

The NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund & the National Women’s Law Center. (2014). Unlocking Opportunity for African American Girls: A Call to Action for Educational Equity     .

The School Discipline Consensus Report     . (2014).

Horner, R. H., Sugai, G., & Anderson, C. M. (2011).  Examining the Evidence Base for School-Wide Positive Behavior Support . Focus on Exceptional Children , 42(8), 1-14.

Preble, B., & Taylor, L. (2009).  School Climate Through Student Eyes .     Educational Leadership, 66, 35-40.

Sugai, G. (2009).  School-Wide Positive Support and Response to Intervention     .

Simonsen, B., Fairbanks, S., Briesch, A., Myers, D., & Sugai, G. (2008).  Evidence-based Practices in Classroom Management: Considerations for Research to Practice Education and Treatment of Children , 31(3), 351-380.

Fairbanks, S., Sugai, G., Guardino, D., & Lathrop, M. (2007).  Response to Intervention: Examining Classroom Behavior Support in Second Grade Exceptional Children , 73(3), 288-310.

Perkins, B. K. (2006).  Where we learn: The CUBE survey of urban school climate .

Picucci, A. C., Brownson, A., Kahlert, R., & Sobel, A. (2002, 12/2002).  Shaping School Culture Principal Leadership

Brewster, C., & Railsback, J. (2001).  Schoolwide prevention of bullying   . Portland, OR : Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory.

Meggie, M., Edwards, S., & Gwozdz, K. (2001).  Conflict resolution: A blueprint for preventing school violence . Rego Park, NY : The Solomon Press.

Thornton, T. N., Craft, C. A., Dahlberg, L. L., Lynch, B. S., & Baer, K. (2001).  Best practices of youth violence prevention . Atlanta, GA : National Center for Injury Prevention and Control    .

Hoover, J. H., & Oliver, R. (1996). The Bullying Prevention Handbook: A Guide for Principals, Teachers, and Counselors . Bloomington, IN : National Educational Service.

Websites

Anti-bullying network

established by The Scottish Executive so that teachers, parents and young people can share ideas about how bullying should be tackled

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Adverse Childood Experiences (ACEs)

Center on Behavioral Education and Research at UConn

Cyber Bullying: Bullying in the Digital Age

Education World: School Climate

More than 80 articles on various aspects of school climate, including but not limited to tips for building positive school climate, information on laws related to bullying, assessments for school climate and teachers’ discipline styles, making new students feel welcome, tips and cautions regarding using popular media resources, tips for positive parent-teacher interactions, and ways to incorporate flexibility without losing effectiveness.

Fifty-State Survey of State Education Agencies’ Online School Disciplinary Data

Information about the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program

Maryland State Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

provides national leadership, coordination, and resources to prevent and respond to juvenile delinquency and victimization

OSEP Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports

Ready Kids

developed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to help teachers and parents prepare children in grades 4-8 for natural disasters and other emergencies

School-Wide Information System at the University of Oregon

Stop Bullying Now

offers teachers, parents and students a wide range of information and resources on how to identify, intervene in, and prevent bullying in schools

Stop Bullying Now!

General information about bullying/bullying prevention

Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE)

nonprofit organization striving to decrease the potential for violence in our schools and communities by promoting meaningful student involvement, education and service opportunities in efforts to establish, support and grow SAVE chapters

The National School Climate Center

USA Mental Health First Aid

Safe Learning Environments – Related Webcasts

Archived Solutions to the Dropout Crisis webcasts are available at the links below. Addressing Bullying in Schools: An Introduction to the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program . (2008). Solutions to the Dropout Crisis

Building Authentic Relationships with Youth At Risk . (2009). Solutions to the Dropout Crisis.

Coalition of Caring: Developing a Trauma-Sensitive School Culture . (2017). Solutions to the Dropout Crisis.

Creating a Trauma-Informed Care School . (2017). Solutions to the Dropout Crisis.

A Customizable Approach to Restorative Justice School Discipline: Replacing Ineffective, Punitive Consequences with Human-Centered Educational Practices . (2016). Solutions to the Dropout Crisis.

Dropout Prevention in the Digital Society . (2009). Solutions to the Dropout Crisis.

The Good News About Cheating . (2013). Solutions to the Dropout Crisis.

The 15 Effective Strategies for Dropout Prevention . (2011). Solutions to the Dropout Crisis.

Four Overview Perspectives on Engaging Students . (2016).  Solutions to the Dropout Crisis.

Introducing Solutions to the Dropout Crisis Magazine . (2017). Solutions to the Dropout Crisis.

Making Sense of the Evidence: A Review of Dropout Prevention Strategies . (2014). Solutions to the Dropout Crisis.

A Place Where They Want To Be . (2014). Solutions to the Dropout Crisis.

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports: What Does PBIS Have to Do With Prevention? . (2011). Solutions to the Dropout Crisis.

Reaching and Teaching the Reluctant Learner . (2014). Solutions to the Dropout Crisis.

Reducing Dropout Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students . (2017). Solutions to the Dropout Crisis.

Reducing the Use of Seclusion and Restraint in Schools . (2015). Solutions to the Dropout Crisis.

School Climate Through Students’ Eyes . (2010). Solutions to the Dropout Crisis.

School Climate: Why Is It Important? . (2012). Solutions to the Dropout Crisis.

A School and Police Department Partnership . (2017). Solutions to the Dropout Crisis.

School Transformation Through a Social and Emotional Learning Based Freshman Seminar . (2015). Solutions to the Dropout Crisis.

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