From fistfights in the playground to talking back in class, violence in schools not only interferes with learning, it also can lead to chronic disciplinary problems and widespread youth violence. While “reading, writing and arithmetic” have long been known as the fundamentals of education, many schools have added “respect” and “responsibility” to the academic curriculum in an ongoing effort to curb school violence.

Children must learn, early on, that violence does not constitute acceptable behavior in society. Young children who learn to solve problems non-violently are likely to carry that approach into adolescence and adulthood. Students, parents and school staffers alike can make that happen by creating an environment that promotes an understanding of the consequences of violence, as well as the importance of violence prevention.