A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL:
Thursday, Aug. 27, 1998, 9 a.m.
 

President Clinton today announced the release of a new guide to help teachers, parents, principals and school district leaders prevent violence in schools.  Early Warning - Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools tells school communities what to look for and what to do to prevent violence, when to intervene and get help for troubled children, and how to respond when violent situations occur.

"Schools remain among the safest places for young people, yet even one incident of violent crime in a school is too many," said U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley.  "This guide is a practical resource for schools and communities to use to reduce the likelihood of violence and improve existing prevention and intervention efforts.  Because there is no one-size-fits-all approach to this complex issue, it is important that everyone -- parents, students, teachers, staff, and community members be part of creating safe, disciplined school environments."

"Every parent and teacher should be aware of the warning signs exhibited by a troubled child," said Attorney General Janet Reno.  "This guide can help save lives and prevent tragedies."

The guide presents a brief summary of research on violence prevention, intervention and crisis response in schools and:

• Notes that effective prevention, intervention and crisis strategies work best in schools that focus on high standards of achievement and discipline; involve families and communities; emphasize positive relationships among students and staff; openly discuss safety; offer extended before and after-school activities for students; and identify problems and assess progress toward solutions.

• Describes early and imminent warning signs including social withdrawal; excessive feelings of isolation, being alone and rejection; being a victim of violence; expression of violence in writings or drawings; and past history of violent, aggressive behavior and discipline problems, which, when viewed in context, can signal a troubled child -- and presents principles to ensure these signs will not be misinterpreted.

• Recommends that effective intervention efforts to improve the behavior of troubled children include a system of coordinated school and community services; parental involvement; and input from students.

• Gives suggestions for developing a violence prevention and response plan outlining ways for the entire school to spot behavioral and emotional signs that indicate a child is troubled and resources that can be used to create safe environments.

• Discusses ways to respond in the aftermath of a crisis to ensure a coordinated community effort; and

• Provides resources and references for schools and parents who want more information.

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