The Crisis of School Violence is the only interdisciplinary book about school violence. It presents a broad and in-depth approach to the key questions about why bullying continues at an unprecedentedly high rate and why rampage school shootings continue to shock the nation. Based on extensive research, The Crisis of School Violence investigates human nature and its relation to aggressive behavior, with a special focus on the culture of violence that predicates school violence (including rampage shootings) and perpetuates industries that profit from violence. Marianna King presents the considerable psychological and neuroscientific research that investigates the effects of violent entertainment media on the brain and, subsequently, on behavior, which clearly reveals a causal connection between exposure to violent electronic entertainment media—especially violent video games—and increased aggressive and violent behavior. The book also reveals a more specific connection between exposure to violent video games and rampage school shootings. Ultimately this volume is a call to action that includes recommendations for parents, teachers, decision makers, and citizens alike.

Choice's Outstanding Academic Title list for 2013 Through interviews and case studies, Klein develops an explanation for bully behavior in America's schools In today’s schools, kids bullying kids is not an occasional occurrence but rather an everyday reality where children learn early that being sensitive, respectful, and kind earns them no respect. Jessie Klein makes the provocative argument that the rise of school shootings across America, and childhood aggression more broadly, are the consequences of a society that actually promotes aggressive and competitive behavior. The Bully Society is a call to reclaim America’s schools from the vicious cycle of aggression that threatens our children and our society at large. Heartbreaking interviews illuminate how both boys and girls obtain status by acting “masculine”—displaying aggression at one another’s expense as both students and adults police one another to uphold gender stereotypes. Klein shows that the aggressive ritual of gender policing in American culture creates emotional damage that perpetuates violence through revenge, and that this cycle is the main cause of not only the many school shootings that have shocked America, but also related problems in schools, manifesting in high rates of suicide, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-cutting, truancy, and substance abuse. After two decades working in schools as a school social worker and professor, Klein proposes ways to transcend these destructive trends—transforming school bully societies into compassionate communities.

Results from numerous surveys indicate that many students do not feel safe in school. This condition exacts an academic as well as a psychological toll because, as the authors remind us, children must feel safe in order to learn. The authors of Preventing Bullying and School Violence contend that inadequate attention has been given to the role of mental health professionals in preventing bullying and school violence. They propose a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach, one that draws upon the skills of the educational, health care, and mental health communities in identifying risk, choosing appropriate interventions, and implementing targeted wellness programs. The authors see bullying as a process, not a problem originating with a single troubled person. Accordingly, they believe that bullying behaviors can be effectively addressed only by targeting the broader social context -- the coercive power and group dynamics that breed and maintain bullying and violent behavior in the school setting. The book is designed to help clinicians, school counselors, and administrators create a safe climate for their students and to respond thoughtfully, but swiftly, when threats arise. The authors offer many practical guidelines for achieving these goals, addressing The critical importance of establishing a strong connection between the family, the school, and the community in creating a healthy academic environment Strategies for working effectively with the complex social bureaucracies that often characterize the entities (such as school boards and governmental agencies) that intervene in cases involving violent children, with an emphasis on developing skills in managing both small and large groups Ways to define and recognize at-risk children who require special attention as a result of having mental illness and/or learning disability Innovative community interventions, such as therapeutic mentoring and home-based therapy, in addition to information on local, state, and federal programs designed to support antiviolence programs in the schools Techniques for promoting wellness among the student population -- not just physical wellness, but also the positive attitudes and coping skills that are the hallmarks of mental health. Preventing Bullying and School Violence aims to empower mental health professionals to work confidently and effectively in educational settings to reduce the distress, enhance the psychological well-being, and secure the safety of all schoolchildren.

Given the apparent rise in many forms of violence in schools, and the dire consequences to those impacted by violence, it is vital to better support children and youth. This volume provides an overview of key areas of promise for improved research and practice to mitigate violence and respond in positive, supportive ways.

Your school must be prepared to face problems that range from name calling and bullying to extortion, rape, and homicide. Decrease the chances of tragedy and learn how to respond most effectively! This essential handbook explores the causes of school violence, presents state-of-the-art information on preventing school violence, and arms you with practical interventions to use when violent incidents occur. You’ll also learn about the best Internet sites on school violence issues. This book—prepared by the editor of the Journal of School Violence—can help you decrease the chances of tragedy. It will also show you how to respond effectively when violence does occur. Part I: Causes of School Violence focuses on the ways that connectedness and identification with academics influence school violence. This section presents a framework for creating developmental interventions as well as a chapter examining the concept of “bonding to school,” with two interesting scenarios to consider. Part II: Prevention of School Violence examines the effectiveness of interventions in use today and brings you important information on threat assessment, peer mediation, and weapons reduction. You’ll also find an insightful chapter on the value of developing empathy and good communication with youth who are gang members. Part III: Interventions in Cases of School Violence provides you with effective strategies to address the consequences of crisis events and takes an incisive look at crisis events themselves, what they are, how they progress, and what you may encounter in their aftermath. In addition, you get an invaluable inside look at crisis intervention and support services in the aftermath of the 2001 Santana High School shootings in San Diego, California. With your purchase of this essential handbook, you’ll also be kept up to date by the author’s new Internet forum—a space where scholars and practitioners from around the world come together to create new strategies for school violence prevention and intervention and develop new online and print publications that address school violence. “When I was like 11, I was hanging out. I used to go to a middle school. It was for bad people, only bad people go there. It's a school just for bad people that had gotten kicked out of school. And I had got kicked out of my school cause they found me with a gun.” The Handbook of School Violence brings together many voices—those of violent youngsters and the helpers who provide the care they need—those of students who feel no connection with their families or with their work at school—those of the professionals who strive to prevent these students from acting on their feelings of alienation in violent ways—and those of scholars who create theory and research, laying the foundation for prevention and intervention. Add this book to your collection, and you’ll benefit from the contributions of this rich chorus of voices. And through the Internet forum, the chorus can add a new voice—yours. Visit the Handbook of School Violence Web site at http://genesislight.com/hsv%20files/about.html

School Violence and Children in Crisis uses a holistic approach to show how schools, families, and community agencies can build partnerships to reduce school violence. The book examines various theoretical perspectives to facilitate understanding of the etiology and consequences of school, family, and community violence. The authors cover crisis teams, teacher interventions, debriefing, group psychotherapy, and building partnerships for success. The final part of this text presents community interventions, suggesting that community-based clinical social workers take leadership in collaborations to build systems of care. This effective resource provides practical insight into the emerging culture of violence in our schools and is specially designed to help school social workers, counselors, and community leaders address this critical issue. This work: presents specific interventions to alleviate violent behavior in schools; and emphasizes building partnerships between schools, families, and community agencies. The coverage includes ideas for parents to help their children in coping with the aftermath of trauma. It also includes a step-by-step plan to prevent school violence.

Guidelines for Responding to Student Threats of Violence Book