Reducing School Shootings

The number of school shootings has skyrocketed recently not only in the United States but also in many other countries. This was one of the reasons why William Jeynes set out to write this illuminating book, in which he provides policy makers, school leaders, teachers and other interested individuals with valuable insights, research data and facts to reflect upon. It is to the great merit of William Jeynes that he proofed character education as well as parental engagement to be highly effective tools to improve schools in the 21st century. Schools need to focus more on character and parental engagement and less on testing. This book is an incredibly valuable contribution and deserves to be taken very seriously.
Roland Bernhard, Professor of History and Civics Education, University of Vienna

School shootings have arguably become one of the most pressing concerns facing the American education system. While officials have proposed different solutions to the problem, few have attempted to address the multiple factors contributing to school shootings. In Reducing School Shootings, William Jeynes offers a much-needed comprehensive approach to addressing the problem that is grounded in many years of scholarly analysis and evidence. Scholars and policymakers interested in substantive solutions that go beyond single policy prescriptions for alleviating school shootings will learn a great deal from this book. Daniel Hamlin, Professor of Education Policy, University of Oklahoma

Dr. Jeynes bravely uncovers the complex psycho-social dynamics that have long contributed to the global-wide incidence of school Shootings. The evidence is presented objectively and pinpoints the contributions of family dysfunction, mental illness, addiction, and the overall desensitization of violence wrought in the vacuum of postmodern culture. The commonalities and context for school shootings were delivered succinctly but Dr. Jeynes warns against an oversimplification of the problem and provides comprehensive strategies for preventative and legislative change that will lead to a more hopeful future. Dr. Robert Grand, Executive Director, The Family Afterward Resource Center, Metro Los Angeles, California

This book calls for a multidimensional and comprehensive approach to reduce the number of school shootings, rather than the simplistic unidimensional strategy that is commonly advocated. Based on meta-analyses examining which variables are most often related to positive changes in violent student behavior, it also integrates other research and historical trends in order to formulate recommendations regarding how to reduce school shootings.

The topic of school shootings is one of the most vital issues in society today, because: 1) schools should be the safest places on Earth for children, 2) if students do not feel safe, they are not going to learn very well in school, and 3) it is of such great concern to parents and society at large, as evinced by the degree of news coverage that school shooting incidents receive.

Sadly, despite the gravity of the problem, many people tend to either respond in an emotional way or propose simplistic solutions. Gun control legislation alone will not solve the problem; instead, it calls for a multi-disciplinary and multifaceted approach, involving parents, teachers, schools and healthcare. This book investigates the status quo, goals, and solutions, pursuing a fact-based approach.

This book is of special interest to the academic community, national leaders, and other policymakers. It is also suitable for courses on education, psychology, sociology, criminal justice and other areas of law. It will also appeal to the general audience.