| This study reports the preliminary results of an evaluation of a problem-solving and team-building intervention aimed at reducing assaults and related problems (including fear of crime) at a mid-sized urban high school in Western New York State. School Administrators in conjunction with the local police identified assaultive bheavior on school grounds as a substantial problem. A problem-solving seminar was held that included administrators, teachers, students, and police officers. The seminar was designed to develop problem-solving techniques, and then apply those techniques to reduce assaults on school grounds. Data were obtained through surveys of teachers as well as official crime data from police and school disciplinary reports before and after the intervention occurred to assess whether the intervention reduced assaults and related behavior on the school grounds. The findings from this study offer insight into the viability of such an intervention as an effective strategy to reduce school violence. Overall, this evaluation is consistent with the U. S. Department of Education's National Educational Goals for all schools to be free of violence. |
Updated 05/20/2006