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