Chronic absenteeism is most commonly defined as missing 10 percent or more of school days for any reason. Chronic absenteeism is a proven early warning sign of academic risk and school dropout. While the causes of chronic absenteeism are multifold, research shows that student health and a school's health and wellness environment are key factors…

This unique collaboration between a veteran educator and a psychotherapist shows that the educators who are most effective in teaching diverse student populations are the ones who can "see students clearly and respond to their needs without hesitation or bias." Framed around an original, eight-stage model of diversity development, this book…

A parent brings a cyber bullying incident to your attention and expects you to resolve it. What are the students' rights and your responsibilities according to the law? Because the laws regarding disciplinary action are still evolving, this manual fills the gap by providing public school leaders with data-driven solutions for managing cyber…

This module provides teachers with practical tools to improve the quality of teaching and learning activities and enable learners to achieve their objectives in literacy, language and numeracy. Unit 1 explores approaches that are particularly appropriate to adult learners, developing thinking skills and involving them in decision making and…

Educators are adopting learner-centered instruction in which students, facilitated by technology, collaborate with peers and engage in problem solving and inquiry. This article discusses ways to use technology in authentic learner inquiry as an information resource, content contextualizer, communication tool, construction kit, and…

Critical thinking skills figure prominently among the goals for education proposed by educational researchers, parents, and employers. This digest discusses the skills related to critical thinking and three specific strategies for teaching these skills. The first, Building Categories, is an inductive reasoning tool that helps students categorize…

The school climate at an urban high school was considerably improved by providing students with leadership skills they might use within the system. (Author/MLF)

To increase student achievement, a Massachusetts school district used Appreciative Inquiry, a strengths-based approach to problem solving for strategic planning. The process asks: What does this organization do well, and what is our vision for the future. Cites activities that helped schools reach goals set in the process. (MLF)

Unsafe conditions in schools impede student learning. This paper describes how an effective conflict-management program can help to create a safe school environment. Such a program should be considered essential to an overall school-safety plan, not regarded as an adjunct to the plan. An effective conflict-management program gives students a…

Several steps are presented to help the principal change a school's climate from negative to positive by developing a positive personal attitude. Included are: having a plan of action, managing time effectively, and motivation of one's self and one's staff. (KC)

The "iNtegrating Technology for inQuiry" (NTeQ) model provides a framework for creating an environment for students to use computers as tools to build a strong educational background while solving meaningful problems. This article outlines the NTeQ philosophy, describes the design process for lesson plans, and discusses professional development…

Preventing high school violence takes more than security measures alone. Problem-solving approaches involve skill-building strategies that teach students conflict-resolution skills that become alternatives to the use of violence. Peace-making strategies seek to improve school climate by targeting key relationships in the school. Lists eight steps…

Although most schools are safe, they all can be safer. Improving school safety requires the strategic investment of time and dollars--scarce resources for which there are competing demands. Fortunately, schools that strategically coordinate schoolwide efforts are more likely to improve academic performance as well as reduce behavior problems. This…

Although most schools are safe, they all can be safer. Improving school safety requires the strategic investment of time and dollars--scarce resources for which there are competing demands. Fortunately, schools that strategically coordinate schoolwide efforts are more likely to improve academic performance as well as reduce behavior problems. This…

Surveys confirm the prevalence of racism and prejudice in schools and colleges. School executives are offered the following strategy: (1) establish that prejudice will not be tolerated; (2) get students involved; (3) expand contacts between racial groups; (4) offer students training in conflict resolution; and (5) provide staff inservice training.…