Improving Interactions: The Effects of Implementing the Fight-Free Schools Violence Prevention Program

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the Fight-Free Schools violence prevention process had an effect on the frequency of aggressive acts of elementary school students. Participants included approximately 600 students ranging from Kindergarten to 5th grade in a suburban school in the Midwestern United States. Data were collected over a 2-year period on the frequency and type of aggressive acts committed during the school day. Year 1 baseline was compared to data from Year 2 to determine whether any differences existed after Fight-Free Schools was implemented. Results indicated a 60% decrease in the overall number of aggressive acts from Year 1 to Year 2. In addition, there were decreases in each specific type of aggressive act that ranged from 25% to 84%.

Keywords :

• prevention
• programs
• schools
• violence