Core Curriculum in Preventing and Reducing School Violence and Vandalism, Course 7 - The Community as a Problem-Solving Resource - Participant Guide and Reference Notebook

• NCJ Number: 69755
• Author(s): M Volgyes; K Crockett; L Varnon
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 171 pages
• Grant Number(s): 79-JS-AX-0019
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: Ctr for Human Services
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Instructional Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: National School Reference Network

Annotation

This course discusses community involvement as a means of controlling school violence and vandalism and emphasizes ties with parents, volunteers, criminal justice agencies, and businesses.

Abstract

As the concluding section of a seven-part curriculum series on preventing school violence and vandalism, the course contends that schools cannot solve their internal problems and return to educating children if they remain isolated from the community. First, the community roots of school violence are explored. Establishment of community schools is presented as an alternative strategy. Other school programs that involve the community are described. Participants have the opportunity to rate their own school for community integration. A building-block model for developing a community school program is included. This subject is examined in greater detail in the second unit, which introduces methods for obtaining community support. Participants analyze a successful action plan devised by a community school program and compare it to efforts in their home communities. Parents and adult volunteers are treated in the third session. Specific techniques for organizing and maintaining an effective volunteer program are outlined. The fourth unit is devoted to ways that schools can win support from community agencies and businesses. Case examples are used to evaluate different approaches. The benefits from cooperation as well as the barriers to it are also discussed. The final unit addresses coordination between the school and components of the juvenile justice system. Following a review of the system and rationales for coordination is an examination of programs designed to facilitate interagency cooperation. Participants then discuss local problems that might benefit from cooperation with juvenile authorities. An agenda is detailed for each session. Worksheets, background informational materials, and references are also provided. An annotated bibliography of audiovisual material is included. For other courses, see NCJ 69749-54. For the Trainer's Guides, see NCJ 69756-62.