The author, an experienced principal from Washington, D.C., spent the 1975-76 school year on leave to the National Institute of Education to work on a program to identify and visit secondary schools that had experienced recent incidents of violence but were on their way toward stabilizing and containing the disruptive situation. The author discusses the selection of the schools visited, lists the schools, and discusses his approach to the visits. The major portion of the report is concerned with the author's conclusions about the role of leadership, school climate, and outside forces on the schools and with his consideration of what works to reduce violence and disruption--caring, control, and increased or improved communication. The role of the principal is emphasized. (Author/IRT)