ABSTRACT
This chapter provides some background information and context relating to school violence. It helps school leaders to understand the complexities of the issue when making their decision about what to do about the situation involving the two boys-or other situations they may encounter. The chapter shows that school violence encapsulates a range of policies and disciplinary actions used by school officials to respond to threats of violence. When the district officials discussed the incident, important issues were raised about youth violence and responses to violence in schools. Originally intended as a means of dealing with gun violence, many schools have adopted a zero-tolerance policy for fighting, threats, absenteeism, and other less serious violations, raising the question about whether it is too draconian. The point is to sway the student to behave properly through threats, sanctions, and other actions that would convince the rational thinker to act appropriately.
