Each and every educator has the responsibility to develop the attitudes, knowledge, and skills needed to implement programs within their classrooms and schools to help prevent and treat student aggression and violence. In spite of increased awareness on the part of educators, current school-based efforts to address aggression and violence are generally ineffective. Intervention programs are implemented too late in the developmental cycle for aggression and violence. Intervention programs fail to target school factors that exacerbate the development of aggressive and violent behavior. Programs fail to effectively teach desired pro-social beliefs, norms, and behaviors.
Programs fail to recognize differences in the types of violence and often target only one type.
The first step is to determine a basic direction for the plan. This generally requires a review of existing programs and policies. Examination of past disciplinary referrals and suspension and expulsion data is frequently enlightening. Information can be gathered on the school climate, teacher efficacy, and cultural beliefs. This material can be reviewed with the goal of identifying student and programmatic needs.