No More Scared Straight! Creating Trauma-Sensitive Environments for At-Risk-Children in School Settings

Allen Eugene Lipscomb

(Social Work Department, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, California State University, USA)

Abstract: This paper explores the current climate of schools in America and the need for schools to have a Trauma Sensitive School Environment (TSSE). It looks at the rates of children who have been exposed to overwhelming experiences, such as witnessing violence between their caretakers, being the direct targets of abuse, and other kinds of adversity. This paper utilizes case studies from teachers who have taught at the public school level and what they have observed and seen when educating children. This paper also reviews findings from the Adverse Childhood Experiences study (ACEs) and propose what can be done to create more trauma-sensitive school environments from k-12. Outlining opportunities to increase and expand these efforts, this paper will provide recommendations for schools to be trauma sensitive.

Key words: trauma sensitive, school environment, academic success and achievement