The videoconference “Promising Practices for Safe and Effective Schools” was be broadcasted live from the National invitational meeting “Safe and Effective School for All Students: What Works”.  The purpose of the invitational meeting, which included a six-person team from every state and most territories, was to exchange information and strategies for developing safe and effective schools. The teams engaged in collaboration and strategic planning for improving student discipline and behavior and preventing violence in our schools.  The outcome of each team’s effort was the development of an action plan which can be implemented at the state and local level with the goal of reducing violence in schools.  Safer schools allow administrators, teachers, and students to focus their attention on improving academic performance.

The “Promising Practices for Safe and Effective Schools” satellite videoconference was aired on Wednesday, September 15th from 3:00–4:30 PM EDT.  It provided information on strategies for school safety and allowed participants to ask questions of the panelists.  This  broadcast was designed to: 
 

• Build or improve effective school and community collaborations that support safe and effective schools; and 
• Provide participants with information about effective approaches and practices that can improve school discipline, safety, and related academic results. 

The videoconference  included pre-recorded segments that described approaches that three schools have taken to improve safety, panel discussions with children and their families, teachers, school staff, administrators and board members, as well as mental health agency staff and police officials.  This conference was sponsored by offices within the U.S. Departments of Education, Justice, and Health and Human Services, as well as other private agencies and organizations.

The videoconference was based on five documents prepared by or for the Federal partner organizations.  They were:

• Early Warning, Timely Response:  A Guide to Safe Schools
• Toolkit for Implementing Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe  Schools (under development)
•  Safe and Effective Schools for ALL Students:  What Works!
•  Promising Practices in Children’s Mental Health: The Role of Education in a System of Care 1998 Annual Report on School Safety