Resource Clearinghouse

Safe

Learn more about what it means to be safe.

For a guide to the Resource Clearinghouse, please click here.

Major Reports and Books

• Direct From the Field: A Guide to Bullying Prevention. Parker-Roerden, L., Rudewick, D., and Gorton, D., 2007. (PDF, 123 pgs.) A new guide released by the Massachusetts State Department of Public Health to dispel myths about bullying and provide tips and statistics to help teachers and principals stop bullying.
• Indicators of School Crime and Safety 2007. U.S. Department of Education, 2007. (web report) This report on school crime and safety shows that some indicators of safety have improved, but many problems remain.
• The Educator's Guide to Assessing and Improving School Discipline Programs, Chapter 1: Identifying and Clarifying Core Beliefs. ASCD, 2007. (web resource) This first chapter describes the process of identifying core beliefs about your school discipline program in order to improve school climate and safety.
• Enhancing Achievement and Proficiency Through Safe and Drug-Free Schools. U.S. Department of Education, Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Advisory Committee, 2007. (MS WORD, 54 pgs.) Report by a panel formed by Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings to respond to questions regarding Department of Education policies for Safe and Drug Free Schools.
• Every Child Learning: Safe and Supportive Schools. Learning First Alliance, 2001. (PDF, 51 pgs.) This report synthesizes the literature, identifies four research-based elements essential to safe and supportive schools, and makes recommendations on how schools and districts can build safe and supportive learning communities.

Articles and Briefs

• Internet Safety Policy Recommendations. National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), 2007. (web commentary) Recommendations from NASSP to help secondary schools face "the triple challenge of protecting their students against online predators while safeguarding students' First Amendment rights and encouraging use of the Internet as a legitimate pedagogical tool."
• Creating Safe Schools Is Everyone's Business. Our Children, National Parent Teacher Association (PTA), 2007. (web article) An article for parents and schools reflecting the social and emotional impact of bullying in all its forms and suggesting ways for schools and communities to create safe and respectful schools.
• Policy Update: Cyberbullying. National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE), 2007. (PDF, 2 pgs.) A brief policy update from the Policy Information Clearinghouse on cyberbullying including 'issues to consider' and state actions to address the problem.
• School Crisis Guide. National Education Association (NEA) Health Information Network, 2007. (free web guide) Comprehensive and easy-to-use resource to crisis management, including templates and resources for before, during, and after a crisis.
• How We Treat One Another in School. Educational Leadership, ASCD, 2007. (web article) A survey of middle school students' experiences with bullying shows that kids want the adults in school to pay attention and keep them safe.
• Children at Risk: The Family. American School Board Journal, National School Boards Association, 2007. (web article) Comprehensive efforts to engage impoverished families in schools help all children succeed.
• Competition and Student Learning. ResearchBrief, ASCD, 2006 (web article) Research shows that competition between students may have a negative effect on student motivation.
• Self-Discipline and Student Academic Achievement. ResearchBrief, ASCD, 2006. (web article) According to recent research, students with a strong sense of self-discipline achieve more academically.
• The Violence You Don't See. Educational Leadership, ASCD, 2006. (web article) A former elementary school teacher reflects on the importance of cultural understanding in making students feel comfortable and engaged.
• Broadening the World of Early Adolescents. Educational Leadership, ASCD, 2006. (web article) Middle schools need to balance social development and academic achievement for early adolescents, and be mindful of structures that heighten social segregation.
• The High Stakes of School Safety. Is It Good For the Kids?, ASCD, 2004. (web column) Dr. Gene Carter, Executive Director of ASCD, discusses reports that find disruptive behavior and fearful students common in schools, and calls on educators to build safe and supportive environments.

Websites

• Creating a Climate for Learning. Center for Social and Emotional Education. (online videos) Part of a variety of resources on school climate and culture, this short series of online videos defines and offers tips for creating a climate for learning along with a case study from the Bronx.
• ASCD Character Education Network. Join this ASCD group dedicated to effective practices and useful theory in character education.