ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the strategies that foster a safe and welcoming school climate and promote student attendance. It discusses the school officials the tools and strategies they need to create a safe learning environment that will support the success and development of all of America's children. The chapter provides a compendium of assessment strategies designed to assist school officials in their quest for definition, direction, development, and execution of a safe and welcoming school climate. Students, parents, law enforcement, mental health professionals, business and community leaders, and a wide array of community members should be included in the planning forum. Georgia law requires that school safety plans shall be prepared with input from enrolled students, parents or legal guardians, teachers, community leaders, other school employees, school district employees and local law enforcement, fire service, public safety, and emergency management agencies. The Safe School Committee shall be composed of an equal number of teachers, parents of the children affected, and students.
