School Violence

essay

Preventing Violence in Schools: How to Encourage Students to Report Threats

One of the most consistent findings in research on school shootings is that someone knew an attack was possible but didn't report it. There are ways schools can better encourage students to come forward when they see or hear something concerning: tip lines, training, and a lot more trust.

commentary

Climate, Technology, Trust: Ways to Help Students Report Threats to Their School

When students or others don't know how to report a threat or aren't willing to do so, important opportunities to protect students may be missed. Schools receive little guidance about how to implement an effective reporting program or how to build a robust reporting culture. A recent research effort helps to fill this gap, highlighting seven key implications for school safety planning.

Pauline Moore, Brian A. Jackson

essay

How to Prevent, Prepare for, and Respond to Mass Attacks

A new step-by-step guide can help communities prevent shootings and other mass attacks before they happen, and save lives when they do. It's written for a variety of public- and private-sector audiences--everyone from emergency responders and school officials to security personnel and community leaders.

commentary

A Toolkit for Avoiding Mass Shootings

RAND has developed an online educational toolkit to provide practical strategies and guidance on deterring, mitigating, and responding to mass attacks. Research highlights three top ways to mitigate and/or respond to mass attacks right now: through proactive prevention, relentless follow-up, and diligent preparation and training.

Richard H. Donohue, John S. Hollywood @JohnS_Hollywood

commentary

How Can the U.S. Do a Better Job of Keeping Kids Safe at School?

Many proposals to improve school safety promote the use of technology, such as metal detectors and video cameras. How effective are these devices? The evidence is mixed.

Rajeev Ramchand @RRamchand, Jessica Saunders, et al.

commentary

Here's How a National Database Could Help Colleges Fight Sexual Assault

At a moment of heightened awareness around sexual violence, America's colleges and universities have an opportunity to lead by example, through a commitment to full transparency about campus sexual assaults and openness to learning from each other's failures and successes.

Coreen Farris, Kristie L. Gore

commentary

The Ghost of Bullying

The idea that bullying is experienced by only a few children and adolescents is false. Most cases are verbal, not physical, and victims tend to remain silent. Research has shown that bullying can have negative long-term effects on a person's life.

Italo A. Gutierrez

commentary

Rethinking Student Discipline and Zero Tolerance

Restorative practices are an alternative to zero-tolerance school discipline policies. Rather than mandating prescribed punishments for specific misbehaviors, this more tailored approach aims to empower students.

Joie D. Acosta, Matthew Chinman, et al.

blog

How Schools Can Help Students with Traumatic Stress

Schools are in a unique position to recognize traumatic stress in children. But first, adults throughout the school system -- including teachers, staff, administrators, school resource officers, and parents -- must be aware of the issue, know how to detect signs of trauma exposure, and create a supportive environment.

blog

The State of the Union 2013

The 2013 SOTU address will be remembered for its impassioned call for greater gun control just two months after Sandy Hook. But President Obama's second-term agenda can be characterized by its sheer breadth, reflecting the broad range of policy challenges facing the United States today.

commentary

Firearms and Gun Control: Many Questions, Some Answers

President Obama's task force on gun violence has raised the stakes in the policy debate on gun control and policy in the wake of the recent shootings in Colorado and Connecticut. Some of RAND's top researchers share what is, and what isn't, known about firearms and gun control.

Sarah Michal Greathouse, Brian A. Jackson, et al.

commentary

Responding to Newtown

Art Kellermann reviews what is known from broad outlines of the Newtown attack and past research on gun violence to offer some preliminary thoughts to the Obama Administration's task force and the public.

Arthur L. Kellermann

commentary

Silencing the Science on Gun Research

The United States has long relied on public health science to improve the safety, health, and lives of its citizens. Perhaps the same straightforward, problem-solving approach that worked well in other circumstances can help the nation meet the challenge of firearm violence, writes Arthur Kellermann.

Arthur L. Kellermann, Frederick P. Rivara

commentary

Use 'Teachable Moments' to Save Young Lives

Published commentary by RAND staff.

Jaana Juvonen