Grade retention, achievement test scores, and academic performance have improved similarly, and, during the past four years, no student has been placed in the county's alternative education program. A Violence Prevention Curriculum, First Step to Success, and Lane School, Lane County, Oregon, where the Institute on Violence and Destructive Behavior at the University of Oregon and Lane School of the Lane Education Service District have successfully implemented schoolwide preventive interventions, early intervention programs, and targeted interventions to make schools both safe places for all students and productive learning settings for children who are at risk of severe behavioral problems and school failure. Results show increased attendance, more days in which behavioral goals are attained, fewer office referrals, and fewer suspensions, among other positive changes. Administrators, staff, and students must all understand the rules and their consequences. The first step to a safe, drug-free, and effective learning environment is a schoolwide commitment to good behavior.
Safe schools are one family.
Regular and special educators and students are all part of the school family. Discipline and positive behavior supports and activities should involve all staff and students. Safe schools are caring schools that value and respect all students. Safe schools build and support staff capacity to be caring and to address the diverse needs of all students. Safe schools have high academic standards and provide students with the support to achieve these standards.