Through this community, students become more connected to the school environment and to one another. This is where democracy in education ties into the prevention of school violence. For example, instead of simply making a rule that certain slurs can' t be used, they take the time to teach students why they shouldn' t use these slurs. You create a community of respect. What' s more, when problems do arise, they are more likely to be noticed and reported.
Kids are more likely, when they hear threats, to go to a trusted adult.
To supplement these programs and initiatives, Dr. Hazler believes that there are two general, practical ways in which we all can take responsibility for the safety of America' s classrooms. First, we need to operate as adults the way we expect kids to operate as children. If we want students to take part in cooperative projects or to operate on a democratic school senate, then we have to make sure that the faculty and the principal have meetings that are democratic and open and include everyone in the decisions. We have to emulate the behavior we' d like to see in our kids. The second practical step involves where we choose to place our attention.