Managing student aggression in high schools: Implications for practice

The provision of school psychological services in high school settings where aggressive student behavior is a concern presents challenges and opportunities for leadership to practitioners. This article places focus on the role of the school psychologist as (a) a consultant in the evaluation and restructuring of effective student discipline procedures and (b) a provider of direct intervention services to high-risk youth. School psychologists are urged to bring a prevention focus and their insight into the principles of learning and adolescent development to the design of effective school and classroom behavior management structures. Promising primary and secondary prevention programs are reviewed and implications for practice discussed.