Addressing the problem of school violence and disruption requires thoughtful understanding of the complexity of the personal and systemic factors that increase the probability of violence, and designing interventions based on that understanding. This inaugural issue explores the effectiveness of zero tolerance as a tool for promoting school safety and improving student behavior and offers alternative strategies that work. Authors examine the state of knowledge in research and law concerning zero tolerance and present data illustrating that zero tolerance has failed to demonstrate effectiveness in reducing school violence or improving student discipline. They present disciplinary alternatives, long-term preventatives, and working models that make a positive contribution to school safety and support positive youth development.About the Author: RUSSEL J. SKIBA is associate professor of counseling and educational psychology at Indiana University and director of the Safe and Responsive Schools Project. GIL G. NOAM, the director and founder of the RALLY program and the program in After-School Education and Research, is associate professor of psychiatry/psychology at McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School and associate professor of education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, Massachusetts.