Abstract

The results of the evaluation of the effectiveness of a program aimed to reduce school violence in 4 public schools of Recoleta, in the Metropolitan Region of Chile, are described. A pretest-posttest pre-experimental design with a single group was used. In 2006 and 2088, 677 and 553 students from 5th to 12th grade, respectively, were evaluated. Eight factors of violence, as perceived by witnesses, victims, aggressors, and the school climate, were assessed. There was a decrease in violence between both years in the factors Observer and Victim of Peer Violence, Observer of Antisocial Violence, Observer of Violence From Students to Adults and From Teachers to Students, and Perpetrator of Peer Violence. When the same grades were followed, only Observer and Victim of Violence From Teachers to Students and Observer of Violence From Students to Teachers show a reduction. The results show effectiveness of the program in preventive and promotional matters, but not in more serious violent behaviors. The importance to progress in the evaluation of school violence programs is highlighted. © 2011 by Psykhe.