In the face of pervasive violence in American schools and society, many schools have begun to consider making violence prevention and conflict resolution part of their curricula. Faced with such a culture of violence, curricula that teach students the attitudes and skills they need to avoid violence seem to provide a sound strategy for violence…

This digest reviews effective strategies currently used by schools to combat sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is considered any unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature that interferes with the life of the target individual. Experts agree that sexual harassment is about power, not sex. A serious effort to keep a school free of sexual harassment…

Noting that parents and caregivers are vital to the healthy development and growth of children, this pamphlet discusses ways parents and caregivers can help children learn more about themselves and their environment in order to prevent violence. The pamphlet reminds parents to make time to listen to their children and take time to talk with them.…

Examines a measure of interpersonal conflict between students that has been recommended for use in the United States. Focuses on the consequences of use and interpretation of the questionnaire. Looks at the correlation of self and peer reports, evidence of relevance and utility, consequences of interpretation, and consequences of use. (RJM)

Conducted a meta-analytic review of 41 studies to explore the relation between children's aggressive behavior and hostile attribution of intent to peers. Found a significant association between hostile attribution of intent and aggressive behavior, with larger effects associated with more severe aggressive behavior, rejection by peers as a…

Presents the story of how institutionalized racism prompted one African American couple to home school their three sons, who 10 years later, found themselves at Ivy League schools. The move to home schooling came after the boys were expelled from a mostly white, private school for what the parents insisted were racial reasons, asserting that skin…

Investigated adolescents' perceptions of what contributed to their feeling safe at school and their strategies for enhancing a sense of security. High school students from rural and suburban New York State public schools completed focus group and individual interviews. Overall, students depended on peer predictability to feel safe at school when…

Training, not education, is a common outcome of Japanese education--even at the university level. Individual initiative and independent thought are savagely repressed, and students are harshly punished or bullied for nonconformist behavior. Children of executives transferred to foreign countries face great discrimination when reentering Japanese…

Describes a multimedia resource developed for camps by the American Camping Association and Peter Yarrow, of Peter, Paul, and Mary, to help children express and manage their emotions, cooperate and appreciate the individual strengths that each child brings to a group, celebrate diversity, and practice negotiating and resolving conflict creatively.…

Describes a severe incident of hazing among 13-year-old male campers. Discusses hazing as a ritual or rite of passage gone awry, indicative of the lack of positive rituals for youth in our society. Recommends camp program procedures for responding to such incidents and strategies to prevent hurtful behaviors among campers and to promote group…

Describes three programs that emphasize character and values to create environments in which learning more easily occurs and students become more respectful, empathetic individuals. One middle school program uses peer mediation. An elementary school program focuses on bully-proofing. Another elementary program actively teaches six core values.…

Presents a strategy that can be used by public school officials to reduce the number of weapons coming into schools. Addresses creating policies to protect children from bullies, educating students about the school's weapons policy, initiating weapons-screening procedures, applying consistent sanctions, and acting on tips about students carrying…

This article discusses the different kinds of bullies that gifted children face at school, including parents, teachers, coaches, and even other gifted students. Strategies are provided that parents and teachers can use to guide the social and emotional development of gifted children as it pertains to dealing with bullies. (Contains two…

Examined agreement between peer, self-, and teacher nominations for aggressor, victim, and defender. Found highest agreement for aggressor, between peers and self for victim and defender, and between teacher and peers for aggressor. Children were more likely to nominate children they liked most for any role and gave friends more victim…

In the school setting, children too often are victimized by peers, educators, and other school staff. The frequent and often unrecognized abuse in the school may cause pervasive emotional, social, and academic problems in children. This paper posits a theoretical construct, Student Alienation Syndrome (SAS), which may result from Posttraumatic…