Briefing on Evidence-Based Approaches to School Safety

American Educational Research Association

Invites You to a Capitol Hill Briefing on

New Strategies for Keeping Schools Safe:Evidence-based Approaches to Prevent Youth Violence

Thursday, February 11, 2010 2:00 p.m.Refreshments at 1:30

Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 430Constitution Avenue and 1st Street NE; Washington, D.C.

The growing body of research paints a very different picture of both the magnitude and nature of school safety issues than appears in the mainstream media. While acts of mass violence are a serious concern, they are quite rare; and insufficient attention has been given to the much more pervasive forms of aggression that effect millions of students daily. Many of the popular policy solutions that have been introduced in response to concerns about the safety of children, such as zero tolerance and increased security measures, have been shown to be inadequate or even dysfunctional. A new and more comprehensive policy perspective is needed, and there is abundant research evidence to point the way.

This briefing will report on research presented in a special issue of the Educational Researcher devoted entirely to research on school safety. The new research to be discussed examines violence, bullying, and disruptive behavior, and reports on the harmful consequences of school environments that are unsafe or disruptive—especially for minority students—and the kind of policies and education approaches needed to maintain safety and order in our schools. Copies of the January-February, 2010 issue of Educational Researcher, a peer-reviewed journal, will be distributed at the meeting.

ModeratorFelice J. Levine, Ph.D.Executive Director, American Educational Research Association

Research PerspectivesDewey G. Cornell, Ph.D.Professor and Bunker Chair in EducationDirector, Virginia Youth Violence Project Curry School of Education, University of Virginia, Charlottesville

Matthew J. Mayer, Ph.D.Assistant Professor, Educational PsychologyGraduate School of Education, Rutgers University, New Brunswick

Congressional PerspectiveU.S. Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA) (invited)

Perspectives from Practitioners

Seating is Limited Please RSVP [email protected]

For information, contact AERA Communications and Outreach (202) 238-3200, ext. 234 or 235