For approximately 15 years there have been a number of episodes of rampage school violence in elementary/high school and higher education in the United States. Initial responses included implementation of antibullying programs, disciplinary measures, and increased law security measures. As the incidences have continued, it has become apparent that a more collaborative and interdisciplinary approach is needed for prevention. This paper offers a review of research literature as it applies to proposed innovative strategies for collaborative research, prevention, and intervention in the school setting. 1. Beyond Bullying: Additional Considerations in Rampage School Violence While modern schools had long been considered to be places of relative safety, this sense of security was dispelled in the late 1990s when a series of rampage shootings occurred in the United States [1, 2]. Most of these rampage shootings involved youth as perpetrators and children, adolescents, and educators as victims. As a response to these incidences, there are numerous articles and recommendations that have been put forward by educators, psychologists, sociologists, law enforcement, and legislators. Immediately following an incident, the media also offer analyses and suggestions from any number of perspectives. Among the initial responses to these rampage acts of violence and shootings were environmental changes such as increased security and attempts to remove potential perpetrators through disciplinary measures. The presence of security guards, locked buildings, and shooter drills have become commonplace in today’s schools. Disciplinary policies such as zero tolerance for even the most minor indicator of aggressive intent have been developed and implemented [1, 3, 4]. While these environmental and disciplinary changes may have averted some incidences, rampage acts of violence or shootings have continued suggesting the need for additional strategies. It is noted that the rampage aggression primarily involved shootings; however, an incident on April 9, 2014, involved the use of a kitchen knife [5]. Therefore, it is more appropriate to refer to rampage school violence rather than limit the term to “shooting” or “shootings.” Interpersonal dynamics such as bullying were also examined in an effort to gain insight into the rationale of the perpetrators. Levin and Madfis [4] found that the majority of the shooters had experienced bullying and had been ostracized by their peers prior to the rampage shooting; however, there were also other sources of chronic and acute strain in their lives.
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