NCJ Number
163308
Journal
School Safety Dated: (Fall 1995) Pages: 25-27
Date Published
1995
Length
3 pages
Annotation
A lack of efforts to address school violence produces a variety of reactions in the school community and may lead to a lack of creativity, poor job performance, burnout, and attrition among school personnel and inability to concentrate, behavior problems, alcohol and other drug problems, academic difficulties, and dropping out among students.
Abstract
Many schools report a phenomenon of teachers' untreated symptomatic responses to crises that is strikingly similar to the progression of professional codependency that occurs when school staff members deal with students who actively abuse alcohol and other drugs. The four stages a teacher experiences are (1) denial; (2) trial and error attempts to control the student's behavior; (3) recognition of the denial, coupled with intense anger and frustration; and (4) a decision to make fewer demands on the student. However, effective interventions are possible that mitigate the results of cumulative violence and trauma. The district must acknowledge the problem and establish a crisis response team. Schools should also establish a comprehensive violence prevention program to reduce the probability of violence, deal with crises, and reduce the emotional impact of a crisis. Appropriate planning, practice, and team assignments can produce effective crisis responses.