Nine Critical Elements of Promising Violence Prevention Programs

To identify approaches to school‐based violence prevention that are most promising and those that may not be effective a review of the literature was conducted. In addition, telephone interviews were conducted with 15 experts on topics related to school‐based violence prevention. Nine critical ingredients of promising approaches to violence prevention were identified. Specifically, the approaches are comprehensive and multifaceted; begin in the primary grades and are reinforced across grade level; are developmentally tailored; and cover appropriate content area. Appropriate content areas include information; anger management; social perspective taking; decision making and social problem solving: peer negotiation and conflict management; social resistance skills; active listening and effective communication: and material on prejudice, sexism, racism and male‐female relationship. In addition, promising programs use interactive teaching techniques, are culturally sensitive, and provide teacher training. They promote a positive school climate and foster norms against violence. Six violence prevention activities that appear not to be effective are also discussed. The authors conclude with a discussion of the need for more rigorous evaluation of violence prevention programs.