Creating a peaceful school learning environment: A controlled study of an elementary school intervention to reduce violence

Objective: The impact of a manual-based antiviolence program on the learnin g climate in an elementary school over 4 years was compared with the outcom e in a control school. Method: The two schools were matched for demographic characteristics. The i ntervention in the experimental school was based on zero tolerance for bull ying; the control school received only regular psychiatric consultation. Di sciplinary and academic achievement data were collected in both schools. Results: The experimental school showed significant reductions in disciplin e referrals and increases in scores on standardized academic achievement me asures. Conclusions: A low-cost antiviolence intervention that does not focus on in dividual pathology or interfere with the educational process may improve th e learning environment in elementary schools.