Violence in Student Writing

A School Administrator's Guide
Gretchen A. Oltman - Creighton University, USA
Violence in Student Writing
November 2012 | 144 pages | Corwin
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Description

Your guide to action when student writing crosses the line

At what point should violent student expressions be considered a legitimate threat? This legal handbook helps you apply caution and logic in protecting your students' freedom of speech while also protecting the safety of everyone in the building. Gretchen Oltman, an experienced educator and licensed attorney, shows you how to react appropriately to warning signs from students. You'll discover how to:

  • Prevent violence by creating a positive and safe school environment
  • Guide teachers in assessing written threats of violence
  • Evaluate writing outside the classroom, including texting and Facebook postings


Violence in Student Writing delves into the real-life experiences of administrators, teachers, and students, exploring current and relevant issues in student writing violence and offering solutions that every school administrator needs to know.

"This book provides educators with legal and education frameworks for distinguishing students who are writing about violence from writing by violent students. Knowing the difference between the two can possibly save lives."
—Kenneth S. Trump, President of National School Safety and Security Services
Author of Proactive School Security and Emergency Preparedness Planning

"Increased emphasis on writing, combined with evolving trends in online media and bullying, make this a book we all need to keep handy. Here, Oltman combines her wisdom as both a classroom teacher and a lawyer, offering us a guide we can trust as we all seek to navigate our way through the complex landscape of writing instruction."
—Jim Burke, Author of The English Teacher's Companion

Contents

Foreword by Allan Osborne

Foreword by Allan Osborne

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Author

About the Author

Introduction

  • 1. The Aftermath of Columbine on Student Writing
  • A Brief History of School Violence
  • The Columbine and Jonesboro Shootings: Writings as a Pretext for Violence
  • The Columbine Effect
  • The Aftermath of Columbine on the Student Writer
  • Boston, Massachusetts
  • Cary, Illinois
  • West Warwick, Rhode Island
  • Prosser, Washington
  • Johnston, Rhode Island
  • Summary
  • Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators
  • For K-6 Schools
  • For 7-12 Schools
  • Questions to Consider
  • 2. Schooling for Citizenship: A Legal Primer for Educators
  • Freedom of Expression in Today's Public Schools
  • The U.S. Constitution
  • Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District
  • Bethel v. Fraser
  • Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier
  • Morse v. Frederick
  • How Do These Cases Apply to Classroom Writing Samples?
  • The True Threat Standard
  • The Court’s Call for Citizenship Education
  • Citizenship Education Through the Curriculum
  • Courts Agree – Public Schools Are More Than Books and Pencils
  • Summary
  • Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators
  • For K-6 Schools
  • For 7-12 Schools
  • Questions to Consider
  • 3. School Culture and Student Safety
  • What Students Write About (And What It Can Say About Your School Culture)
  • The School Administrator’s Influence On School Culture
  • Improving Your School Culture
  • Summary
  • Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators
  • For K-6 Schools
  • For 7-12 Schools
  • Questions to Consider
  • 4. Regulating Student Expression: Examining Your School Policy
  • Why a Zero Tolerance Approach Fails Everyone
  • Incorporating Legal Principles Into School Policies
  • Sample Policies
  • Summary
  • Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators
  • For K-6 Schools
  • For 7-12 Schools
  • Questions to Consider
  • 5. Violent Writing Within the Classroom
  • Freewriting Is Not the Cause of School Violence
  • Writing as a Predictor of Violence
  • Writing Instead of Violence
  • The Unique Nature of the Writing Classroom
  • “But, Teacher, I Want To Be the Next Stephen King...”
  • The Lost Lesson: Purpose and Audience
  • Advice for All Teachers of Writing
  • Summary
  • Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators
  • For K-6 Schools
  • For 7-12 Schools
  • Questions to Consider
  • 6. Violent Writing Beyond the Classroom
  • Off-Campus Writings
  • Cases Where Schools Prevailed
  • Cases Where Students Prevailed
  • Cyberbullying, Texting, and Facebook Writings
  • When the Violent Writing Targets You
  • Staying Informed
  • Summary
  • Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators
  • For K-6 Schools
  • For 7-12 Schools
  • Questions to Consider
  • 7. Communicating With Teachers About Student Violent Writing
  • Conversing With Teachers Before the School Year Begins
  • Recognizing Potential Syllabus Problems
  • Reviewing Teacher Classroom Policies
  • Suggesting Teaching Methods When You Are Not a Writing Teacher
  • Continuing the Conversation
  • Summary
  • Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators
  • For K-6 Schools
  • For 7-12 Schools
  • Questions to Consider
  • 8. Threat Assessment for Student Violent Writing Incidents
  • Assessment Does Not Mean Profiling
  • Listening and Threat Assessment
  • Keep a Copy of Student Writing
  • A Sample Threat Assessment Form for Student Violent Writing Incidents
  • Summary
  • Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators
  • For K-6 Schools
  • For 7-12 Schools
  • Questions to Consider
  • 9. Acting and Responding to Student Violent Writing
  • The Need for a Timely Response
  • Responding Reasonably to All Student Violent Writing
  • Creating a Documentation Trail
  • Potential Administrative Responses
  • Summary
  • Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators
  • For K-6 Schools
  • For 7-12 Schools
  • Questions to Consider

References

References

Appendix A

Appendix A

Description

Your guide to action when student writing crosses the line

At what point should violent student expressions be considered a legitimate threat? This legal handbook helps you apply caution and logic in protecting your students' freedom of speech while also protecting the safety of everyone in the building. Gretchen Oltman, an experienced educator and licensed attorney, shows you how to react appropriately to warning signs from students. You'll discover how to:

  • Prevent violence by creating a positive and safe school environment
  • Guide teachers in assessing written threats of violence
  • Evaluate writing outside the classroom, including texting and Facebook postings


Violence in Student Writing delves into the real-life experiences of administrators, teachers, and students, exploring current and relevant issues in student writing violence and offering solutions that every school administrator needs to know.

"This book provides educators with legal and education frameworks for distinguishing students who are writing about violence from writing by violent students. Knowing the difference between the two can possibly save lives."
—Kenneth S. Trump, President of National School Safety and Security Services
Author of Proactive School Security and Emergency Preparedness Planning

"Increased emphasis on writing, combined with evolving trends in online media and bullying, make this a book we all need to keep handy. Here, Oltman combines her wisdom as both a classroom teacher and a lawyer, offering us a guide we can trust as we all seek to navigate our way through the complex landscape of writing instruction."
—Jim Burke, Author of The English Teacher's Companion

Contents

Foreword by Allan Osborne

Foreword by Allan Osborne

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Author

About the Author

Introduction

  • 1. The Aftermath of Columbine on Student Writing
  • A Brief History of School Violence
  • The Columbine and Jonesboro Shootings: Writings as a Pretext for Violence
  • The Columbine Effect
  • The Aftermath of Columbine on the Student Writer
  • Boston, Massachusetts
  • Cary, Illinois
  • West Warwick, Rhode Island
  • Prosser, Washington
  • Johnston, Rhode Island
  • Summary
  • Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators
  • For K-6 Schools
  • For 7-12 Schools
  • Questions to Consider
  • 2. Schooling for Citizenship: A Legal Primer for Educators
  • Freedom of Expression in Today's Public Schools
  • The U.S. Constitution
  • Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District
  • Bethel v. Fraser
  • Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier
  • Morse v. Frederick
  • How Do These Cases Apply to Classroom Writing Samples?
  • The True Threat Standard
  • The Court’s Call for Citizenship Education
  • Citizenship Education Through the Curriculum
  • Courts Agree – Public Schools Are More Than Books and Pencils
  • Summary
  • Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators
  • For K-6 Schools
  • For 7-12 Schools
  • Questions to Consider
  • 3. School Culture and Student Safety
  • What Students Write About (And What It Can Say About Your School Culture)
  • The School Administrator’s Influence On School Culture
  • Improving Your School Culture
  • Summary
  • Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators
  • For K-6 Schools
  • For 7-12 Schools
  • Questions to Consider
  • 4. Regulating Student Expression: Examining Your School Policy
  • Why a Zero Tolerance Approach Fails Everyone
  • Incorporating Legal Principles Into School Policies
  • Sample Policies
  • Summary
  • Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators
  • For K-6 Schools
  • For 7-12 Schools
  • Questions to Consider
  • 5. Violent Writing Within the Classroom
  • Freewriting Is Not the Cause of School Violence
  • Writing as a Predictor of Violence
  • Writing Instead of Violence
  • The Unique Nature of the Writing Classroom
  • “But, Teacher, I Want To Be the Next Stephen King...”
  • The Lost Lesson: Purpose and Audience
  • Advice for All Teachers of Writing
  • Summary
  • Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators
  • For K-6 Schools
  • For 7-12 Schools
  • Questions to Consider
  • 6. Violent Writing Beyond the Classroom
  • Off-Campus Writings
  • Cases Where Schools Prevailed
  • Cases Where Students Prevailed
  • Cyberbullying, Texting, and Facebook Writings
  • When the Violent Writing Targets You
  • Staying Informed
  • Summary
  • Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators
  • For K-6 Schools
  • For 7-12 Schools
  • Questions to Consider
  • 7. Communicating With Teachers About Student Violent Writing
  • Conversing With Teachers Before the School Year Begins
  • Recognizing Potential Syllabus Problems
  • Reviewing Teacher Classroom Policies
  • Suggesting Teaching Methods When You Are Not a Writing Teacher
  • Continuing the Conversation
  • Summary
  • Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators
  • For K-6 Schools
  • For 7-12 Schools
  • Questions to Consider
  • 8. Threat Assessment for Student Violent Writing Incidents
  • Assessment Does Not Mean Profiling
  • Listening and Threat Assessment
  • Keep a Copy of Student Writing
  • A Sample Threat Assessment Form for Student Violent Writing Incidents
  • Summary
  • Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators
  • For K-6 Schools
  • For 7-12 Schools
  • Questions to Consider
  • 9. Acting and Responding to Student Violent Writing
  • The Need for a Timely Response
  • Responding Reasonably to All Student Violent Writing
  • Creating a Documentation Trail
  • Potential Administrative Responses
  • Summary
  • Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators
  • For K-6 Schools
  • For 7-12 Schools
  • Questions to Consider

References

References

Appendix A

Appendix A

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Violence in Student Writing

A School Administrator's Guide

Gretchen A. Oltman
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November 2012 | 144 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 01/02/2026 9781452203973 $37.95
Lifetime 01/02/2026 9781452283944 $35.00

Your guide to action when student writing crosses the line

At what point should violent student expressions be considered a legitimate threat? This legal handbook helps you apply caution and logic in protecting your students' freedom of speech while also protecting the safety of everyone in the building. Gretchen Oltman, an experienced educator and licensed attorney, shows you how to react appropriately to warning signs from students. You'll discover how to:

  • Prevent violence by creating a positive and safe school environment
  • Guide teachers in assessing written threats of violence
  • Evaluate writing outside the classroom, including texting and Facebook postings


Violence in Student Writing delves into the real-life experiences of administrators, teachers, and students, exploring current and relevant issues in student writing violence and offering solutions that every school administrator needs to know.

"This book provides educators with legal and education frameworks for distinguishing students who are writing about violence from writing by violent students. Knowing the difference between the two can possibly save lives."
—Kenneth S. Trump, President of National School Safety and Security Services
Author of Proactive School Security and Emergency Preparedness Planning

"Increased emphasis on writing, combined with evolving trends in online media and bullying, make this a book we all need to keep handy. Here, Oltman combines her wisdom as both a classroom teacher and a lawyer, offering us a guide we can trust as we all seek to navigate our way through the complex landscape of writing instruction."
—Jim Burke, Author of The English Teacher's Companion


Table Of Contents:

  • Foreword by Allan Osborne
  • Preface
  • Acknowledgments
  • About the Author
  • Introduction
  • 1. The Aftermath of Columbine on Student Writing
  • A Brief History of School Violence
  • The Columbine and Jonesboro Shootings: Writings as a Pretext for Violence
  • The Columbine Effect
  • The Aftermath of Columbine on the Student Writer
  • Boston, Massachusetts
  • Cary, Illinois
  • West Warwick, Rhode Island
  • Prosser, Washington
  • Johnston, Rhode Island
  • Summary
  • Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators
  • For K-6 Schools
  • For 7-12 Schools
  • Questions to Consider
  • 2. Schooling for Citizenship: A Legal Primer for Educators
  • Freedom of Expression in Today's Public Schools
  • The U.S. Constitution
  • Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District
  • Bethel v. Fraser
  • Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier
  • Morse v. Frederick
  • How Do These Cases Apply to Classroom Writing Samples?
  • The True Threat Standard
  • The Court’s Call for Citizenship Education
  • Citizenship Education Through the Curriculum
  • Courts Agree – Public Schools Are More Than Books and Pencils
  • Summary
  • Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators
  • For K-6 Schools
  • For 7-12 Schools
  • Questions to Consider
  • 3. School Culture and Student Safety
  • What Students Write About (And What It Can Say About Your School Culture)
  • The School Administrator’s Influence On School Culture
  • Improving Your School Culture
  • Summary
  • Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators
  • For K-6 Schools
  • For 7-12 Schools
  • Questions to Consider
  • 4. Regulating Student Expression: Examining Your School Policy
  • Why a Zero Tolerance Approach Fails Everyone
  • Incorporating Legal Principles Into School Policies
  • Sample Policies
  • Summary
  • Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators
  • For K-6 Schools
  • For 7-12 Schools
  • Questions to Consider
  • 5. Violent Writing Within the Classroom
  • Freewriting Is Not the Cause of School Violence
  • Writing as a Predictor of Violence
  • Writing Instead of Violence
  • The Unique Nature of the Writing Classroom
  • “But, Teacher, I Want To Be the Next Stephen King...”
  • The Lost Lesson: Purpose and Audience
  • Advice for All Teachers of Writing
  • Summary
  • Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators
  • For K-6 Schools
  • For 7-12 Schools
  • Questions to Consider
  • 6. Violent Writing Beyond the Classroom
  • Off-Campus Writings
  • Cases Where Schools Prevailed
  • Cases Where Students Prevailed
  • Cyberbullying, Texting, and Facebook Writings
  • When the Violent Writing Targets You
  • Staying Informed
  • Summary
  • Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators
  • For K-6 Schools
  • For 7-12 Schools
  • Questions to Consider
  • 7. Communicating With Teachers About Student Violent Writing
  • Conversing With Teachers Before the School Year Begins
  • Recognizing Potential Syllabus Problems
  • Reviewing Teacher Classroom Policies
  • Suggesting Teaching Methods When You Are Not a Writing Teacher
  • Continuing the Conversation
  • Summary
  • Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators
  • For K-6 Schools
  • For 7-12 Schools
  • Questions to Consider
  • 8. Threat Assessment for Student Violent Writing Incidents
  • Assessment Does Not Mean Profiling
  • Listening and Threat Assessment
  • Keep a Copy of Student Writing
  • A Sample Threat Assessment Form for Student Violent Writing Incidents
  • Summary
  • Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators
  • For K-6 Schools
  • For 7-12 Schools
  • Questions to Consider
  • 9. Acting and Responding to Student Violent Writing
  • The Need for a Timely Response
  • Responding Reasonably to All Student Violent Writing
  • Creating a Documentation Trail
  • Potential Administrative Responses
  • Summary
  • Practical Applications for Teachers and Administrators
  • For K-6 Schools
  • For 7-12 Schools
  • Questions to Consider
  • References
  • Appendix A

Recent Product Reviews:

"I know first hand how destructive high schools can be in handling student writing that makes them uncomfortable. In some cases students with no record of violence have been suspended, and their reputations permanently altered, just because their English teacher was frightened by something they wrote. Oltman's book presents the case for much more intelligent policies. Teams of educators who have researched the issue and have spoken to the students should be making these decisions, she says. This is a sensible guide that should be required reading for all principals."
Jay Mathews, Education columnist, Washington Post
"Rarely do authors have the ability to bring the law alive by providing teachers and administrators with deep understanding of its practical application in their schools. This book is an insightful look into the power of school culture, instructional decision making, policy development, and student well-being through the lens of violent writing, both on and off campus. The writing is compelling, the scholarship is deft, and Oltman’s clear focus on the real work of schools makes this book a must read."
Susan G. Clark, President, Education Law Association and Professor, Educational Foundations and Leadership, University of Akron, Akron, OH
"Gretchen Oltman offers an important book on a subject that helps us understand the challenges of the past, those of the present, and (gulp!) those we cannot yet imagine. Increased emphasis on writing, combined with evolving trends in online media and bullying, make this a book we all need to keep handy. Here, Gretchen combines her wisdom as both a classroom teacher and a lawyer, offering us a guide we can trust as we all seek to navigate our way through the complex landscape of writing instruction."
Jim Burke, Author, The English Teacher's Companion
"Today's school administrators strive to balance student safety without compromising student creativity and supportive educational climates. Violence in Student Writing: A School Administrator’s Guide provides educators with legal and education frameworks for distinguishing students who are writing about violence from writing by violent students. Knowing the difference between the two can possibly save lives."
Kenneth S. Trump, President of National School Safety and Security Services and author of Proactive School Security and Emergency Preparedness Planning
“What is so special about this book (and the author!) is the comprehensive nature of the issue, the historical and legal perspectives, and the sensible recommendations the author provides to handle what can be a tenuous situation. The author presents the reader with the social, educational and legal aspects of the issue while at the same time providing strategies and procedures that the administrator can feel comfortable about developing and implementing that encourage the creativity in students as well as ensure the safety and trust in attending school.”
Susan N. Inamura, Principal (Retired), Manoa Elementary School, Honolulu, HI

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