Focus Adolescent Services: School Violence

The National School Safety Center offers the following checklist derived from tracking school-associated violent deaths in the United States from July 1992 to the present. Follow this link to the School Associated Violent Deaths Report (pdf). After studying common characteristics of youth who have caused such deaths, NSSC has identified the following behaviors, which could indicate a youth’s potential for harming him/herself or others.

Accounts of these tragic incidents repeatedly indicate that in most cases, a troubled youth has demonstrated or has talked to others about problems with bullying and feelings of isolation, anger, depression and frustration. While there is no foolproof system for identifying potentially dangerous students who may harm themselves and/or others, this checklist provides a starting point.

Characteristics of Youth Who Have Caused School-Related Violent Deaths

Has a history of tantrums and uncontrollable angry outbursts

Characteristically resorts to name calling, cursing or abusive language

Habitually makes violent threats when angry

Has previously brought a weapon to school

Has a background of serious disciplinary problems at school and in the community

Has a background of drug, alcohol or other substance abuse or dependency

Is on the fringe of his/her peer group with few or no close friends

Is preoccupied with weapons, explosives or other incendiary devices

Has previously been truant, suspended or expelled from school

Displays cruelty to animals

Has little or no supervision and support from parents or a caring adult

Has witnessed or been a victim of abuse or neglect in the home

Has been bullied and/or bullies or intimidates peers or younger children

Tends to blame others for difficulties and problems s/he causes her/himself

Consistently prefers TV shows, movies or music expressing violent themes and acts

Prefers reading materials dealing with violent themes, rituals and abuse

Reflects anger, frustration and the dark side of life in school essays or writing projects

Is involved with a gang or an antisocial group on the fringe of peer acceptance

Is often depressed and/or has significant mood swings

Has threatened or attempted suicide

These characteristics should serve to alert school administrators, teachers and support staff to address needs of troubled students through

meetings with parents
provision of school counseling
guidance and mentoring services
referrals to appropriate community health/social services and law enforcement personnel

Further, such behavior should also provide an early warning signal that safe school plans and crisis prevention/ intervention procedures must be in place to protect the health and safety of all school students and staff members so that schools remain safe havens for learning.

What Can Parents Do?

Parents can take positive action! If your child has any of these warning signs, you can:

Take an honest look at your child's behavior and family situation.
Become informed of your child's issues.
Network the resources listed on the Family Help pages and throughout the Focus website to find referrals to mental health services and supportive programs.
Follow through on professional advice and treatment plans.
Build a support system from family, friends, self-help groups, and your place of worship.

Call Now!

1-866-620-1418

More Information on School Violence

Crime, Violence, Discipline, and Safety in U.S. Public Schools: 2005-06 ~ This report uses data from the 2005–06 School Survey on Crime and Safety to examine a range of issues dealing with school crime and safety, such as the frequency of school crime and violence, disciplinary actions, and school practices related to the prevention and reduction of crime and safety.

Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools ~ Research-based practices designed to assist school communities identify these warning signs early and develop prevention, intervention and crisis response plans.

Parent Involvement in School Safety: What Every Parent Should Know, What Every Parent Should Say (pdf) ~ The simplest and maybe best form of involvement that parents can pursue is gaining knowledge about what their children's schools are doing in the arena of school safety and talking with their children about school safety.

School Crime and Violence Statistics ~ This report presents data on crime at school from the perspectives of students, teachers, principals, and the general population from an array of sources.

School-Related Violent Deaths and Shootings, 1992-2007 (pdf) ~ A school-associated violent death is any homicide, suicide, or weapons-related violent death in the United States in which the fatal injury occurred.

The School Shooter: A Threat Assessment Perspective (pdf) ~ Violent behavior develops progressively. Making a threat represents a stage in an evolutionary process and there are observable signs along the way that most of us can see if we know what to look for.