A l978 National Institute of Education (RIE) report found that 3 million secondary school children were victims of in-school crime each month and almost 8 percent of urban high school students missed at least l day of school a month because they were afraid to go to school. Subsequent research has indicated that the problems described in the NIE report have worsened over time. Schools have become hazardous places to teach, with self-preservation rather than instruction emerging as the teacher's prime concern. Moreover, attempting to control disruption and disorder under current constraints contributes significantly to teacher stress and burnout. Taxpayers are also victimized when teachers cannot teach and property is destroyed by vandalism. Minorities have a particular stake in resolving the problem because minority students are more likely to be victims of attack than white students and more likely to attend schools where discipline has broken down and learning is disrupted. Schools that have attacked discipline problems successfully have relied on motivation and leadership, not massive spending. Reasons that many schools have failed to cope with violence include fear of appearing incompetent and legal procedures that prevent effective prosecution. School administrators will continue to ignore the problem unless the public demands action. Ultimately, the President can play a critical role in focusing attention on this issue and calling for the restoration of teachers', principals', and school officials' authority.