Reports and ArticlesBy Community MattersNational Association of Secondary School Principals ArticleThe Financial Costs of Bullying, Violence, and Vandalism by Rick Phillips Read it. Columbine ReportExamines the results of efforts to prevent violence in schools from 1999-2009. Read the Executive Summary. Access the Full Report National Association of School Resource Officers ArticleHow to build the positive, trusting relationships between students and adults on a school campus that are the key to having students report threats. Read it. Frequency and Impact of Ambassador Interventions.Includes survey and anecdotal data that demonstrate the effectiveness of the Safe School Ambassadors program. Read it. By Other AuthorsConnectedness and ClimateWhen students feel connected to their schools – they feel cared for and feel like they belong at school – they are less prone to violence, substance abuse, and early sexual activity. What causes connectedness? These researchers examined data from more than 75,000 students in 127 schools and found that positive classroom management climates and tolerant discipline policies are among the four variables that promote connectedness.
Importance of ClimateThe U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Department of Education studied 37 school shootings involving 41 attackers over a 26-year period, with the aim of helping schools understand how to better identify students who might pose a threat (i.e. be likely to mount an attack upon the school). Their conclusion: even though these attacks were rarely impulsive acts, there is no useful or accurate “profile” that can be used to identify school shooters beforehand. However, most attackers were bullied; they also said and did things prior to the attack that indicated a need for help, and even involved other students in – or informed them of – their plans. For these reasons, a school is better served by creating a climate free of bullying, and where students feel valued, included and connected to their school, and thus more comfortable to report to adults information about potentially dangerous situations. “School climate affected whether bystanders came forward with information related to the threats…. Bystanders who came forward with information commented that they were influenced by positive relations with one or more adults, teachers, or staff, and/or a feeling within the school that the information would be taken seriously and addressed appropriately.”
School Climate GuidelinesThe State of Ohio has issued voluntary guidelines that describe the many facets of school climate. They are designed to help school leaders assess the climate of their schools, and make measurable progress toward benchmarks.
Role of BystandersBullying affects everyone involved, including bystanders, who often play a key role in either supporting or stopping bullying.
The Code of SilenceThis study asked students how likely they’d be to report a fellow student’s plans to “do something dangerous” at school. Findings support the importance of fostering a caring climate built upon positive relationships between students and staff.
Zero ToleranceThis practice of establishing and enforcing strict and mandatory penalties for even minor infractions has been popular among educational leaders seeking to show their constituents (staff, students, parents and the community at large) that they are serious about creating a safe learning environment. However, emerging research shows that zero-tolerance policies have little positive effect, and may actually decrease safety.
Literature Review on Bullying and Its Prevention: Implications for the Safe School Ambassadors® Program.Validates the logic model at the core of the SSA program. Prepared by OMNI Research and Training, Denver, Colorado. Read it. Effectiveness of Safe School Ambassadors Program
A multi-year evaluation conducted in partnership with Texas State University, San Marcos and the University of Georgia, Athens, and completed in 2011 found several statistically significant outcomes: Results of the Bullying Prevention InitiativeThe three-year, $9 million Bullying Prevention Initiative funded by the Colorado Trust included support for establishing the Safe School Ambassadors program in more than 20 schools in 3 Colorado counties. This evaluation of the Initiative showed that these programs reduced bullying and improved student achievement.
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