DESCRIPTORS Community Involvement; Educational Environment;

The Minnesota Department of Education has created a plan, "Unlearning Violence, " to aid schools and communities in their efforts to create safe and nurturing environments for all the state's children. The goals and challenges of this plan were formulated with the involvement of over 600 citizens and an in-depth study of research related to violence prevention. Seven goals for violence prevention are articulated: (1) Promotion: Develop the qualities children need to thrive; (2) Prevention: Create comprehensive prevention efforts for all learners; (3) Protection: Assure the protection of all K-12 students and staff; (4) Family Partnerships: Strengthen the school/parent/guardian educational connection; (5) Healthy Climates: Provide positive school climates, environments, and cultures in which to work and learn; (6) Community Focus: Assure a community focus to promotion and prevention efforts; and (7) Socia