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Assessment Tool for Predicting Violent Juvenile Behavior

from the National School Safety Center

School:                                                  Student:                                          Date:                         

Assessor:                                                         Credentials:                                                 

Risk Factor

No

0 Pts.

Yes

5 Pts.

Comments

  1. Has a history of tantrums and uncontrollable angry outbursts

  1. Characteristically resorts to name calling, cursing, or abusive language

  1. Habitually makes violent threats when angry

  1. Has previously brought a weapon to school

  1. Has a background of serious disciplinary problems at school and in the community

  1. Has a background of drug, alcohol, or other substance abuse or dependency

  1. Is on the fringe of his/her peer group with few or no close friends

  1. Is preoccupied with weapons, explosives, or other incendiary devices

  1. Has previously been truant, suspende3d, or expelled from school

  1. Displays cruelty to animals

  1. Has little or no supervision and support from parents or a caring adult

  1. Has witnessed or been a victim of abuse or neglect in the home

  1. Has been bullied and/or bullies or intimidates peers or younger children

  1. Tends to blame others for difficulties and problems she/he causes him/herself

  1. Consistently prefers TV shows, movies, or music expressing violent themes and acts

  1. Prefers reading materials dealing with violent themes and acts

  1. Reflects anger, frustrating, and the dark side of life in school essays or writing projects

  1. Is involved with gang or an antisocial group on the fringe of peer acceptance

  1. Is often depressed and/or has significant mood swings

  1. Has threatened or attempted suicide

TOTAL

Answer Key: Each affirmative answer is assigned five points.  Add the total affirmative answers to determine this youth’s level of risk for juvenile violence.

5-20 = youth is potentially at risk for juvenile misbehavior

25-50 = Youth is at risk and needs a significant amount of positive support, mentoring, role modeling, and positive skill building.

55+ = Youth is a “ticking time bomb.”  The child and his/her immediate family is at risk; get some help immediately.  Seek support from local law enforcement, social and health services, parenting classes and the family court or other youth-serving professionals.

Protective Factors

(from Illinois Violence Prevention Act – www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/youthviolence/riskprotectivefactors.html)

Protective Factor

No

0 Pts.

Yes

5 Pts.

Comments

Individual:

  1. Exhibits an even, resilient temperament, a positive social orientation or mood, and/or the ability to evoke positive responses in others

  1. Exhibits effective negotiating, conflict resolution, and anger management skills

  1. Ability to think clearly about problems including generating alternative solutions and recognizing the consequences of actions

  1. Capacity for empathy and respect for all people and their values

Family:

  1. Healthy parent-child bonding, an investment in the future, and an understanding of right versus wrong

  1. Family life that provides high levels of love and support

  1. Parents and children who communicate positively, and children who are willing to seek advice and counsel from parent(s)

  1. Positive, sustained attachments with at least one adult family member, teacher, or other adult

  1. Consistent presence of parent during at least one of the following: when awakening, when arriving home from school, at evening mealtime or going to bed

  1. Parent(s) that are involved in the children’s success at school

School/Community:

  1. Attachment or connection to the community, or a sense of belonging; involvement in social activities

  1. Caring neighbors

  1. Positive, sustained attachments with at least one adult family member, teacher, or other adult

  1. Schools that provide a caring, encouraging environment

  1. Schools, families, and peer groups that teach children healthy beliefs and set clear standards

  1. Commitment to school

TOTAL

FINAL TOTAL SCORE FOR RISK FACTORS (Risk score minus Protective Score)

Each “YES” is worth 5 points.  Deduct the total from the Risk Factor score to determine final score.

This tool is to aid school professionals in identifying students who may be at risk for violent behavior. It in no way guarantees a particular student will or will not perform violent behavior, but is simply to be used as a screener.