Violence in Student Writing

Gretchen A. Oltman - Creighton University, USA

Foreword by Allan Osborne

Other Titles in:
Leadership | Legal Issues | Student Behavior

November 2012 | 144 pages | Corwin

Your guide to action when student writing crosses the line

At what point should violent student expressions be considered a legitimate threat? This legal handbook helps you apply caution and logic in protecting your students' freedom of speech while also protecting the safety of everyone in the building. Gretchen Oltman, an experienced educator and licensed attorney, shows you how to react appropriately to warning signs from students. You'll discover how to:

Prevent violence by creating a positive and safe school environment
Guide teachers in assessing written threats of violence
Evaluate writing outside the classroom, including texting and Facebook postings

Violence in Student Writing delves into the real-life experiences of administrators, teachers, and students, exploring current and relevant issues in student writing violence and offering solutions that every school administrator needs to know.

"This book provides educators with legal and education frameworks for distinguishing students who are writing about violence from writing by violent students. Knowing the difference between the two can possibly save lives."
—Kenneth S. Trump, President of National School Safety and Security Services
Author of Proactive School Security and Emergency Preparedness Planning

"Increased emphasis on writing, combined with evolving trends in online media and bullying, make this a book we all need to keep handy. Here, Oltman combines her wisdom as both a classroom teacher and a lawyer, offering us a guide we can trust as we all seek to navigate our way through the complex landscape of writing instruction."
—Jim Burke, Author of The English Teacher's Companion

Available Formats

ISBN: 9781452203973	Paperback	Suggested Retail Price: $37.95	Bookstore Price: $30.36
ISBN: 9781452283944	Electronic Version	Suggested Retail Price: $35.00	Bookstore Price: $35.00

Should you need additional information or have questions regarding the HEOA information provided for this title, including what is new to this edition, please email sageheoa@sagepub.com. Please include your name, contact information, and the name of the title for which you would like more information. For information on the HEOA, please go to http://ed.gov/policy/highered/leg/hea08/index.html.

Foreword by Allan Osborne

Preface

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Introduction

1. The Aftermath of Columbine on Student Writing

A Brief History of School Violence

The Columbine and Jonesboro Shootings: Writings as a Pretext for Violence

The Columbine Effect

The Aftermath of Columbine on the Student Writer

Boston, Massachusetts

Cary, Illinois

West Warwick, Rhode Island

Prosser, Washington

Johnston, Rhode Island

Summary

Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators

For K-6 Schools

For 7-12 Schools

Questions to Consider

2. Schooling for Citizenship: A Legal Primer for Educators

Freedom of Expression in Today's Public Schools

The U.S. Constitution

Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District

Bethel v. Fraser

Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier

Morse v. Frederick

How Do These Cases Apply to Classroom Writing Samples?

The True Threat Standard

The Court’s Call for Citizenship Education

Citizenship Education Through the Curriculum

Courts Agree – Public Schools Are More Than Books and Pencils

Summary

Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators

For K-6 Schools

For 7-12 Schools

Questions to Consider

3. School Culture and Student Safety

What Students Write About (And What It Can Say About Your School Culture)

The School Administrator’s Influence On School Culture

Improving Your School Culture

Summary

Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators

For K-6 Schools

For 7-12 Schools

Questions to Consider

4. Regulating Student Expression: Examining Your School Policy

Why a Zero Tolerance Approach Fails Everyone

Incorporating Legal Principles Into School Policies

Sample Policies

Summary

Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators

For K-6 Schools

For 7-12 Schools

Questions to Consider

5. Violent Writing Within the Classroom

Freewriting Is Not the Cause of School Violence

Writing as a Predictor of Violence

Writing Instead of Violence

The Unique Nature of the Writing Classroom

“But, Teacher, I Want To Be the Next Stephen King...”

The Lost Lesson: Purpose and Audience

Advice for All Teachers of Writing

Summary

Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators

For K-6 Schools

For 7-12 Schools

Questions to Consider

6. Violent Writing Beyond the Classroom

Off-Campus Writings

Cases Where Schools Prevailed

Cases Where Students Prevailed

Cyberbullying, Texting, and Facebook Writings

When the Violent Writing Targets You

Staying Informed

Summary

Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators

For K-6 Schools

For 7-12 Schools

Questions to Consider

7. Communicating With Teachers About Student Violent Writing

Conversing With Teachers Before the School Year Begins

Recognizing Potential Syllabus Problems

Reviewing Teacher Classroom Policies

Suggesting Teaching Methods When You Are Not a Writing Teacher

Continuing the Conversation

Summary

Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators

For K-6 Schools

For 7-12 Schools

Questions to Consider

8. Threat Assessment for Student Violent Writing Incidents

Assessment Does Not Mean Profiling

Listening and Threat Assessment

Keep a Copy of Student Writing

A Sample Threat Assessment Form for Student Violent Writing Incidents

Summary

Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators

For K-6 Schools

For 7-12 Schools

Questions to Consider

9. Acting and Responding to Student Violent Writing

The Need for a Timely Response

Responding Reasonably to All Student Violent Writing

Creating a Documentation Trail

Potential Administrative Responses

Summary

Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators

For K-6 Schools

For 7-12 Schools

Questions to Consider

References

Appendix A

Key features

Using published court cases dealing with students' violent and/or disturbing writing, the book will interpret the law in an administrator-friendly way and show how to apply the legal principles to student discipline scenarios while still upholding educational goals.
Deals with violent writing both within the classroom and outside the classroom, including cyberbullying, texting, and Facebook writings.
Each chapter will include real-life scenarios from school administrators and teachers to help illustrate the problems. Actual student writing samples will also be used whenever feasible to obtain.
Shows how to shape a positive and safe school culture where students are less likely to commit school violence.
Gives administrators strategies on how to provide guidance to teachers across the content areas, including how to recognize potential syllabus problems and how to do threat assessments of student writing.