The need for effective schoolwide discipline programs is growing dramatically, in large part because of the need to prevent and respond to acts of school violence. For example, a study by the California Department of Education showed that when comparing statewide data [Page 1497]taken from the 1999–2000 and 2000–2001 school years, physical assaults (batteries) increased by 18%, drug sales by 32%, graffiti by 10%, and vandalism costs by 8%.

Another reason for the need to implement effective schoolwide discipline programs is that educators are expected to cope with increasing student diversity that is associated with levels of cognitive functioning, differences in ethnic and linguistic backgrounds, and types and rates of problem behaviors. Similarly, emphases on instructional standards, integration of students with diverse needs, and ...