Alternative placement options remove the student from the classroom for a prescribed period of time, to deal with a particular behavior. Less severe behaviors such as class disruption or acting out typically result in the student's going to an alternative classroom or "time-out" location. This alternative classroom is overseen by a licensed teacher who works with the student individually discussing his behavior and better alternatives. Once the student has regained compose, he can return to his normal classroom. Alternative placement options for more severe behaviors include longer removals from the class setting and possibly from the school itself, in the form of Saturday school or short-term suspensions.
Teachers have the unique opportunity to spend more time with students than often the parents are able to. For this reason, many schools have begun implementing teacher mentoring programs that pair teachers with individual students. Male teachers are paired with male students and female teachers with female students. These pairs meet daily for approximately 30-minute sessions to discuss school-related issues. The goal is to help each student develop good communication skills and learn effective problem solving and give her an outlet for any occurring challenges.
Conflict resolution programs help students and teachers deal with a crisis as it unfolds. The primary focus of resolution is negotiating, avoiding violence and keeping all parties safe. Skills such as seeing things from the other's perspective, evaluating positive versus negative behaviors and understanding consequences are all necessary to achieve a resolution. Mediation is one form of conflict resolution that occurs when a neutral party helps two opposing individuals or groups through a crisis. Peer mediation programs train students to effectively intervene in a conflict between other students. SCORE (Student Conflict Resolution Experts) is the oldest peer mediation program that was started in Massachusetts by the Attorney General in 1989. This program was responsible for successfully mediating over 6,500 incidents in the first six years. Due to the dramatic success in reducing school violence, many similar programs were created in the state and across the country. What is unique about this program is that it trains students with good listening, communication, problem-solving and mediation skills and that it is actually the students who intervene when a conflict arises.
Teaching kids good life and social skills is only half of the battle. Many solutions to violence and delinquency involve providing alternative activities for students to participate in and become a part of something bigger. Music programs, after-school programs and sports are just a few of the ways kids can stay off of the streets and be constructively busy. Sports, for example, also encourage teamwork and strengthen cooperation.