Reducing School Shootings

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. 

 

​“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, CZA)

 

William Jeynes is a Senior Fellow at Princeton’s Witherspoon’s Institute and a Professor of Education at California State University in Long Beach, California. He graduated first in his class from Harvard University and also graduated from the University of Chicago, where he received the Rosenberger Award for most outstanding student. Jeynes has spoken regularly and written for the White House, various government departments, and for three U.S. presidential administrations, as well as for former members of a fourth administration. He has also served as an advisor for various other politicians, including presidential candidates. He has been an advisor/consultant for the E.U., the U.N., and several G20 foreign governments. His 4 point plan presented to the Acting President of South Korea passed the Korean Parliament and became the core of the nation’s 1998 economic stimulus legislation. This 4 point plan helped South Korea emerge from the greatest economic crisis since World War II faster than any other Asian nation (22% over two years). He has 185 publications to his credit, including 16 books. He received the “Distinguished Scholar Award” from the California Senate and the California State Assembly. He received the “Distinguished Achievement Award” from an arm of the American Educational Research Association. 
His articles have appeared in journals by Columbia University, Harvard University, the University of Chicago, Cambridge University, Notre Dame University, the London School of Economics, and other prestigious academic journals. He has spoken for the White House, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, the National Press Club, UN delegates, members of Congress, Vatican City, the Acting President of South Korea, Harvard University, Cambridge University, Oxford University, Columbia University, Peking University, and many other well-known universities.


Dr. Jeynes has been interviewed or quoted by many of the world’s leading newspapers and media outlets (e.g. the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, Aljazeera, the London Times, CNN, Newsweek Japan, the Associated Press, CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, U.S. News & World Report, USA Today, The Atlantic, etc.). His work has been cited and quoted numerous times by the U.S. Congress, the British Parliament, the E.U., and many State Supreme Courts across the United States. Dr. Jeynes wrote the #1 and #2 all-time most cited articles in the over half century history of the journal Urban Education. He also wrote the #1 all-time most cited article in the 51-year history of the journal Education & Urban Society. He periodically writes columns in the Orange County Register, the United States' 14th largest newspaper. His articles have been republished and highlighted in Yahoo News, Real Clear Politics, and in countless other publications. Dr. Jeynes also gained admission in Who's Who in the World every year of its publication since 2007.