This chapter presents an integrated ecological theoretical model of school violence in evolving and nested contexts. In contrast to other models that put the student in the center, this heuristic model puts the school in the center of nested contexts, such as the student body, family, community, and culture. The school is also embedded in a hierarchical organizational structure, being part of a district, county, state, and country that also affect the school. All these outside contexts overflow into the school and influence internal school violence and safety. The school’s internal context, including the school organization and climate, moderates and mediates outside influences and helps shape the students’ experiences, perceptions, emotions, and behaviors Finally, the model suggests that school violence, bullying, safety, and student outcomes are dynamic and ever evolving, reflecting changes in norms and contexts. The dynamics of the school context impact all the external ecological layers as well.
