Reflecting and often paralleling aggression in the population at large, school violence and vandalism in the United States are escalating at an alarming rate. The response of the education establishment to this dangerous and costly trend has been to create energetic, constructive, and, in some cases, demonstrably successful programs. Designed specifically for school personnel, this volume comprehensively presents, in user-friendly detail, the primary techniques currently being employed to prevent and manage student aggression, as well as constructive alternatives to replace it.
Paying special attention to issues that precipitate student violence, the book describes attitudes and situations that often contribute to episodes of aggressive behavior and outlines methods for management and prevention. Chapters discuss student-oriented interventions, such as psychological skills training, behavior modification, psychodynamic and humanistic interventions, and gang-oriented interventions. Recognizing school violence as a systems problem, the authors address ways to modify each of the elements that contribute to school violence. They offer detailed guidelines for changing the behavior of peers, school personnel, and family members, as well as ways to modify academic curricula and alter a school's physical features. In addition, they describe how to integrate administrative systems, security personnel, family members, community programs, and state and federal agencies into response and prevention networks.
Extremely timely and relevant, this book is a valuable resource for school psychologists and social workers, counselors, teachers, administrators, security personnel, parents, and anyone else confronting school-related violence. It is useful in graduate-level courses focusing on the psychology of violence and aggressive behavior and the development and implementation of school and community safety programs.
Arnold P. Goldstein, Ph.D., is Professor of Special Education at Syracuse University, Director of the New York State Task Force on Juvenile Gangs, a member of the American Psychological Association Commission on Youth Violence, and a member of the Council of Representatives, International Society for Research on Aggression. He has developed three increasingly competitive approaches to prosocial skills training, skillstreaming, aggression replacement training, and the Prepare Curriculum. Reflecting his role as Director of the Syracuse University Center for Research on Aggression, much of his research and teaching have centered on helping youngsters replace antisocial, aggressive behaviors with constructive, alternative means of seeking life satisfaction and effectiveness.
Berj Harootunian, Ph.D., is Professor of Teaching and Leadership at Syracuse University. His research focuses on how teachers solve problems and create successful environments for their students and themselves. His published journal articles, books, and monographs reflect these interests.
Jane Close Conoley, Ph.D., is Professor and Chair of the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Past president of the Division of School Psychology of the American Psychological Association, she is a national and international consultant to schools on the treatment of children with behavior disorders.
