This guidebook shows how schools can form partnerships with law-enforcement agencies and communities to develop a comprehensive safe-school plan. The planning guide is based on four principles: that safe schools are caring schools, are built through cooperative efforts of all stakeholders, communicate high standards, and stress prevention. This manual examines the issue of safety in schools and recommends strategies for adoption by safe-school teams or committees as part of a comprehensive safe-school plan. Chapter 1 discusses the challenge of balancing individuals' civil rights with the majority's right to safety. Chapter 2 describes a safe-school model organized under four broad components--the personal characteristics of the school and staff, the school's physical environment, the school's social environment, and the school's culture. The third chapter recommends a seven-step planning process to guide the planning committee in addressing the components of the safe-school model. Practical suggestions for achieving safety in each of the four components are offered in chapter 4. References contain publications, 9 videotapes, and 23 resource centers. A glossary and appendices containing technical information for developing a school safety plan are included. (LMI)