Equal attention to Learning Supports is essential so that:
- Every student will demonstrate academic achievement and be prepared for success after high school;
- Every student will be supported by highly prepared and effective teachers and school leaders; and
- Every school will offer a safe and healthy learning environment for all students.
School Climate - Safety
Students’ sense of safety in schools impacts student learning and healthy development. Many students, however, do not feel safe in school due to the violence and verbal bullying that they experience on a regular basis.
In order to improve safety, schools should:- review and possibly modify district discipline policies to ensure that they are fair and do not negatively impact school climate;
- communicate and consistently enforce behavioral expectations;
- model social, emotional, and behavioral competencies;
- teach SEL skills;
- provide opportunities for students to practice social, emotional, and behavioral competencies; and
- utilize environmental design strategies such as:
Articles
ISBE Tools/Resources
- Internet Safety
- Health/Life Safety
- School Safety and Emergency Response - Winter 2013 Training Schedule Released!
Links
- Advice from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, "Talking to Children about the Shooting"
- CDC Best Practices of Youth Violence Prevention - A Sourcebook for Community Action
- Child’s Trend Data on Students Carrying Weapons
- Collaborative for Academic Social and Emotional Learning
- Creating Safe Space for GLBTQ Youth: A toolkit
- Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools
- Edutopia
- Helping Youth and Children Recover From Traumatic Events
- How to talk to youth about the shooting in Connecticut
- National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Resources
- National School Climate Center
- OJJDP Gang Prevention: An Overview of Research and Programs
- Safe and Supportive Schools
- School Crisis Guide
- SAMHSA's Tips for Talking to Children and Youth After Traumatic Events: A Guide for Parents and Educators
- SAMHSA's Coping with Violence and Traumatic Events Web Site
