Introduction

How do experiences of violence affect learning? How can educators support those who have been through violence to learn successfully? After many years looking at these questions as they apply to women in adult literacy programs(1) , in 2002 I began research to focus on youth(2) . I wanted to deepen my understanding of the complex picture of how violence affects learning, and to examine how school responses played a part in creating this picture. Most importantly I wanted to look for ways to strengthen the possibilities of supporting learning for youth in high schools and in youth literacy and training programs. With the help of several colleagues(3) I interviewed youth in the high school system, those who had left school, and teachers and other professionals in the school system individually and in groups. You can read the full story in The Challenge to Create Safer Learning Environments for Youth posted at www.jennyhorsman.com.

Here the focus is on the words of the interviewees, particularly the youth-both in school and out of school - and what they tell educators and others working in educational programs about what we can do to support learning.