1. Adolescents remain safer in their schools than in other places in their communities. In fact, they are safer in their schools than walking down the street! Remembering this fact will help us take school violence seriously while also keeping it in perspective.
2. Students are actually less likely to be victimized in their schools today than they were several years ago -- violence at schools is decreasing. Sadly, it is the most extreme forms of violence that have occurred more frequently in past years.
3. While students tend to be more safe at school than 5 or 10 years ago, they feel less safe at school compared to students 5 to 10 years ago. Clearly, the school shootings in the recent past have had an impact on the way students feel about their personal safety.
4. There are fewer weapons in schools today than in years past, but the presence of gangs has nearly doubled in the past 10 years.
5. Intolerance plays a major role in school violence. Teenagers are concerned about fitting in during adolescence. Isolation, stereotypes, discrimination, and prejudice have played important roles in recent cases of school violence. Talking with youth about tolerating -- and valuing -- differences is critical during this stage of life.
6. There are warning signs to the extreme violence that has been witnessed in the past months. It is hard to imagine that anyone could commit such crimes, much less a child or adolescent. However, these crimes can happen. Nevertheless, we must not lose sight of the fact that there are warning signs. Further, we can learn about many of these warning signs from youth if we take their concerns and fears seriously, and are open to talking with them about it.

Sources:

The First Annual Report on School Safety, http://www.ed.gov/PressReleases/10-1998/wh-1014.html

Indicators of School Crime and Safety, 1998, http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/ascii/iscs98.txt

It is important for youth to know that they can talk about it. Where do you begin?

1. Listening is critical! Adolescents need to know that it is ok to talk about it. Adults need to be careful not to avoid the uncomfortable or frightening feelings. Some youth may not be ready to talk about it, or may not want to talk about it; adults should let them know that they are there when youth are ready to talk.
2. Reassurance is important. Communicate the facts, and talk about what your local school or community is doing to protect kids in schools.
3. Encourage action. If the recent school violence upsets local youth, encourage them to take a stand, organize a change, and create protection from violence in their school or community.
4. Finally, talk about tolerance. Intolerance has played a role in two ways in the recent cases of school violence. First, the teenagers involved were socially isolated. Talk with adolescents about how this feels, and about how they can make a difference in their peer group. Second, the teenagers involved often displayed intolerance (racism or sexism). Remind all youth that schools are for everyone.

Resources:

The First Annual Report on School Safety, http://www.ed.gov/PressReleases/10-1998/wh-1014.html

This report provides the facts, as well as an outline of what communities can do through collaboration.

The National Mental Health and Education Center for Children and Families,

http://www.naspweb.org/center/safe_schools/safeschools_disteach.html

This publication, "Disaster: Helping Children Cope", is a resource for teachers. The site includes links to other safe school resources.

This Ups and Downs was written by Stephen T. Russell, Ph.D., 4-H Youth Development Specialist, University of California, Davis Cooperative Extension