Strategies to Stop Violence in Schools
School systems can implement a number of strategies to prevent violence in schools. One of those strategies is to put measures in place to identify bullying. Another is to recognize gang behavior, while a third is to be able to identify students who may be a potential threat to the student body and the staff. By having strategies in place, the administration can be on the same page and the lives of students can be saved.
Bullying can be difficult to identify and at other times it may not be difficult to identify at all. Signs to look for include:
- A student cornering another student and the cornered student having a look of fear on their face.
- A student who avoids another student or group of students in the hallways.
- A student or group of students who seem aggressive toward others.
There are other signs as well, including a bullying student hanging out with a group of kids that teachers and school employees know are rough individuals.
Dealing with Violent Students
When you believe that a student may be violent, it is important that educators know how to deal with them. Here are some ways to deal with violent students:
When talking to a violent or potentially violent student, respect their silence and let them talk when they need to talk.
- Find what is considered a “safe zone” within the school and always have others present.
- Avoid language that may tease or shame them because they may retaliate when they feel that emotion.
- Respond with short statements rather than long ones because this is the violent student’s time to talk.
When dealing with violence as a whole, the school can hold assemblies and other meetings to teach children about anger management and the alternatives to violence. These alternatives can include turning to school staff to resolve a situation rather than resolving it on their own with violence.
There are a number of reasons why children may become violent at school. Some of those reasons include poverty that can lead to anger and discontent, family breakdown, domestic violence and child abuse, drug culture, immigration from countries where education is less valued, violent imagery such as that on television and video games, high parent expectations and competitiveness, and, of course, other causes that are unique to the child.
To prevent violence, school districts have responded in different ways. These ways include alternative programs, expulsion, suspension, locker searches, metal detectors, mentoring programs, closed lunches, dress codes, support groups, security guards, and conflict mediation training for teachers and administrators. The solution simply depends on the type of violence facing the school district and its severity. Unfortunately, budgets usually dictate the degree of safety children receive.