Violence and Bullying

1. Violence and Bullying Combined All-Principals and All-Counselors Meeting February 19, 2009

2. From the Executive Summary of the Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2007 “Our nation’s schools should be safe havens for teaching and learning, free of crime and violence. Any instance of crime or violence at school not only affects the individuals involved but also may disrupt the educational process and affect bystanders, the school itself, and the surrounding community (Henry 2000).” National Center for Education Statistics

3. In 1940 Talking out of turn Chewing gum Making noise Running in the hall Cutting in line Dress code violations Littering In 1990 Drug abuse Alcohol abuse Pregnancy Suicide Rape Robbery Assault Volokh, Alexander and Lisa Snell, “Strategies to Keep Schools Safe,” 1998. Public School Teachers Rate the Top Disciplinary Problems:

4. Violence and Bullying Today: Why Today?

5. Rise of School Violence Schools themselves have changed a great deal since the 1950s, and by the later twentieth century they brought a wide range of students together from often markedly different social environments. http://law.jrank.org/pages/12100/School-Violence-Causes-school-violence.html

6. Rise of School Violence Differences appear in attitudes and behavior that can lead to social cliques or racial tensions. A major change was the emergence of gangs, which doubled between 1989 and 1993. Gang activity within schools included recruiting new members, which often led to school violence as part of initiation. http://law.jrank.org/pages/12100/School-Violence-Causes-school-violence.html

7. Rise of School Violence In addition, illegal activities in the vicinity of the school increased, such as selling drugs and firearms. http://law.jrank.org/pages/12100/School-Violence-Causes-school-violence.html

8. Rise of School Violence Yet another major factor in the rise of deadly school violence was the easy availability of firearms and other weapons. Estimates in the 1990s on the number of weapons brought to school on a daily basis were staggering. The number of guns brought into schools on any given day ranged up to over 250,000 and the number of knives more than double that figure. http://law.jrank.org/pages/12100/School-Violence-Causes-school-violence.html

9. Violence and Bullying Today: How Big Is the Problem?

10. Key Findings from 2005-06 • 86 percent of public schools reported that at least one violent crime, theft or other crime occurred at their school. • 8% of students in grades 9-12 reported being threatened or injured with a weapon in the previous 12 months. • 25% reported having drugs made available to them on school property. • 28% of students ages 12-18 reported being bullied at school during the previous 6 months.

11. Interesting Information . . . • In 2005-2006, 24% of public schools reported that student bullying was a daily or weekly problem. • 18% of public school principals reported student acts of disrespect for teachers; • 9% reported student verbal abuse of teachers; • 17% reported undesirable gang activities.

12. % of Students Reporting: Robbery, Bullying, Physical Attack From Volokh and Snell, 1998 (1993 survey)

13. Research by the Secret Service and the U.S. Department of Education involving 37 school shootings, including Columbine, finds that about two-thirds of student shooters felt bullied, harassed, threatened or injured by others. Most school bullying cases do not lead to school shootings, but bullying is a serious and more common problem than previously recognized that can leave emotional wounds long after the physical wounds have healed.

14. Violence and Bullying Today: What Are the Consequences?

15. Consequences of Violence • In addition to causing injury and death, youth violence affects communities by increasing the cost of health care, reducing productivity, decreasing property values, and disrupting social services (Mercy et al, 2002).

16. Secondary Effects of School Violence • Takes away from the educational process • Affects the behavior of students, who act differently to avoid the threat of violence • Adds costs to education: security systems, etc. • Affects the health and wellness of students and staff

17. Violence and Bullying Today: Who?

18. Early Warning Signs We know from research that most children who become violent toward self and others feel rejected and psychologically victimized. (Guerr, Huesman, Tolan, Van Acker, & Eron, 1995)

19. Early Warning Signs • In most cases, children exhibit aggressive behavior early in life and, if not provided support, will continue a progressive developmental pattern toward severe aggression or violence. (Walker, Colvin, and Ramsey, 1995; Walker, Stieber, & O’Neill, 1990.)

20. Early Warning Signs • Social withdrawal • Excessive feelings of isolation and being alone • Excessive feelings of rejection • Being a victim of violence • Feelings of being picked on and persecuted • Low school interest and poor academic performance

21. Early Warning Signs • Expression of violence in writings and drawings • Uncontrolled anger • Patterns of impulsive hitting, intimidating, and bullying behaviors • History of discipline problems • Past history of violent and aggressive behavior • Intolerance for differences and prejudicial attitudes

22. Early Warning Signs • Drug and alcohol use • Affiliation with gangs • Inappropriate access to, possession of, and use of firearms • Serious threats of violence

23. Warning . . . This video may not be suitable for all viewers, but WE must not forget; WE must change the alienating culture of our schools and make school a safe and supportive place for all young people. Teen Truth: Bullying & School Violence

24. Violence and Bullying Today: The Solution(s)????????

25. Six Pillars of Character • Trustworthiness • Respect • Responsibility • Fairness • Caring • Citizenship TRRFCC