In response to a federal mandate, the National Institute of Education conducted the Safe School Study which examined victimization by violence in schools as a major dependent variable, and included alienation and involvement measures among the independent variables as well as demographic, attitudinal, school, familial, and community characteristics. The data indicated that the proportion of junior high school students reporting attacks was about twice as great as that of senior high students. The risk of serious attack was greatest in urban areas. Those students who were fearful of attack, or who had been recently attacked reported staying home from school or avoiding school areas such as restrooms and certain sites within the school grounds. Fear was much more common in junior than senior high schools. Overall, the findings suggest a need to humanize the nation's schools by providing: (1) more personalized contact among students, teachers, and administrators; (2) smaller classes; (3) more collaborative decision-making procedures; (4) firm, fair, and consistent discipline; and (5) restructure of the grade composition of schools. (Author/HLN)