Educators and parents have begun to focus on the environment in which education takes place as well as on the nature of the education that children receive. Children learn most effectively when they feel safe and secure, and when they are free from fear. Behaviors such as bullying and sexual harassment that in the past were assumed to be part of life are today recognized as intimidating and, in some circumstances, illegal behavior. Participants at this Safe Schools Symposium, focused on creating safe school environments, addressed three questions: Is the elimination of violence and aggression in schools a realistic goal? Who should get information about young offenders and high-risk youth and for what purpose? How do we create safe school environments? This document provides background information about safe schools and violence in schools. The document is composed of three sections: Creating Safe Schools; Policy Leadership; and What Can I Do? Each section begins with background information and ends with a summary of discussions from the Symposium. Appendices are: a checklist that school staff can use to assess the environment in their own school; a copy of the Symposium agenda; and a list of boards of education and other organizations sending representatives. (Author)