Interventions for the High and Low Structure Areas in Schools

Abstract

The classroom is considered a high structure area in schools. When students are in class, teachers are more likely to address unwanted behaviors. Embedding a curriculum within the general curricula which addresses the ways in which students interact with one another is an accepted approach to reducing bullying in school. Two important low structure areas in schools are the school lunchroom and the playground. It is in the low structure areas where there is a higher likelihood of non-professional supervision. Of course, the lunchroom and playground and are not the only unstructured areas in schools. Increasing adult monitoring in hallways and around lockers is also very effective in reducing bullying (Conoley, Hindmand, Jacobs, & Gagnon, 1998).