Outlines the Resolving Conflict Creatively Program (RCCP), a school-based violence prevention program for grades K-12. Initially, the RCCP focused on New York City schools, but has been replicated in 15 other school districts nationwide. The program integrates listening and cooperative expression skills into the curriculum, provides a 25-hour teacher training course, develops a peer mediation program for children in grades 4-6, and provides administrators the necessary training to reduce violence in schools. Findings are measured by student and teacher evaluation as well as academic achievement. When both groups were exposed to the RCCP lessons, they reported declining trajectories of conduct problems, showed slower rate of acceleration in aggressive fantasies, and lower levels of hostile attribution. Math scores increased significantly over the 2-year study. Implications of the RCCP results for social policy include: a positive impact on child development; effectiveness across cultural, economic, and experiential backgrounds; need for additional programs for children at higher risk for aggressive behavior; and teachers who are “psychologically and behaviorally invested” to ensure program success. Since the initial RCCP study was conducted in 1999, a new program, the 4Rs (Reading, Writing, Respect, and Resolution), has been developed by the ESR Metro group and includes a parent education component. Program cost information is also provided.
