School Safety Interventions: Best Practices and Programs

An awareness of the empirical knowledge concerning school violence and programs that have been supported by research is essential for the successful adaptation of school violence prevention programs. Yet, knowledge of national trends and model programs is not sufficient. School social workers must also balance the importance of research-supported programs (which tend to be identically implemented) and "grassroots" involvement at the school level to create programs that fit the needs and intricacies of each school. The authors review some major trends and gaps concerning U.S. school violence, explore areas where school social workers could have a conceptual and practical impact, provide examples of multiple types of research-supported school safety programs, and present examples of monitoring and mapping approaches that address the need for grassroots involvement and strong empirical data.