The incidence of school violence has increased in recent years. In response to the escalation, Deborah Prothrow-Stith developed a violence prevention curriculum to be taught in high schools; it has also been used in middle schools. The first section of this journal issue's report, "Confronting an Epidemic" offers details of Prothrow-Stith's…

Twelve junior and senior high schools in California and ten in New York City are working to mitigate violence and vandalism in their schools and reduce high droupout and absentee rates by addressing a problem central to these issues--student alienation. Through the Open Road Student Involvement Project, natural student leaders form a volunteer…

This publication examines the extent and nature of school violence and reviews promising approaches to creating safe schools and peacefully resolving conflicts. The feature article, "School Violence: An Overview" (Margaret Small and Kellie Dressler Tetrick), provides an understanding of the nature of the challenges to safety and discusses ways to…

Research confirms the fact that violence is a growing problem in American society. The frequency of reports of youth involved in violent acts reflects an inability to handle conflicts in safe, constructive ways among this age group. Although the business of schools is to educate, many students are more concerned with their own safety than…

This volume of the journal for the California Association of School Psychologists provides current information on a broad array of topics related to the work of school psychologists. The articles contribute important information on contemporary issues in the field, such as using a strength-based perspective when assessing students, student support…