Students cite widespread violence.

Violence among teens in towns of all sizes is prevalent, and many students feel their schools have become more dangerous. A survey by Roper Starch Worldwide indicates that 31% of high school and junior high or middle school students think teen violence is a serious problem in their own school, and 45% think it has become "more dangerous over the past five years." On a more positive note, nearly three of four students whose schools have made efforts to reduce violence believe they have been very or somewhat effective.

The study found several differences - both expected and unexpected - in levels of violence. While it typically is more common among boys than girls and among high school vs. junior high and middle schools as expected, researchers were surprised to find that violence often varies more by geographical region than by size of city. They suggest that regional differences may be explained in part by the greater presence of gangs in areas such as the West. The fact that violence in many ways is no more prevalent in large cities than small cities and suburbs/rural areas may be due to greater security measures in many innercity schools. Among the findings:

* Thirty percent of students in the West have been in a fight in the past year, compared to 23% in the South. 18% in the Northeast, and 17% in the Midwest. * Seventeen percent of students in small cities currently carry a weapon, compared to 12% in suburbs and rural areas and...