Describes a high school principal's efforts to establish strict dress and behavior codes for commencement participants, particularly graduates. Highlights the importance of an adequate budget, faculty preparation, guest and student speakers, personalized diplomas, music, seating, and other elements of a meaningful, decorous commencement ceremony.…

As complaints about the lack of discipline in schools increase, more educators are turning to student conduct codes as one component of a discipline program. In setting up an effective conduct code, the top priority should be clear communication of rules. To ensure this, all relevant parties--administrators, teachers, parents, and students--should…

The article presents a working definition of rule-governed behavior, describes research regarding the insensitivity of rule-governed behavior to contingency changes, and provides guidelines for the effective use of academic and conduct rules and for preventing problems associated with insensitivity to changed contingencies. (Author/JDD)

The disciplinary policy at Chapelle Elementary School in Ypsilanti (Michigan), developed with staff participation, classifies some student behavior as "unacceptable" or "inappropriate." Either behavior requires the teacher to fill out a pink slip and send it with the student to the principal's office, but only unacceptable…

Describes a kindergarten class for students with hearing impairments that uses a strategy that supports positive student behavior. Steps include working with children to establish classroom rules, reviewing the rules by asking children to role play each one, and conducting individual and class evaluations each day. (CR)

All administrators and teachers face the challenge of implementing discipline procedures that are effective, particularly for special-education students. This book provides an array of practical solutions to everyday problems, primarily for use with special-education students who challenge discipline techniques. The techniques described are based…

This handbook, directed toward governing boards, provides strategies to help district and county boards prevent or reduce school violence. It focuses on prevention and early intervention. This second edition was updated in response to school-safety issues following several incidents in American schools. Following an executive summary and…

Designed to be read by parents and children together, this handbook outlines the standards of behavior, discipline, attendance, and academics established at the Santa Maria Joint Union High School in California. Following a letter of introduction to parents, the student code is divided into four sections. Students' legal and educational rights are…

This report identifies core principles and best practices for schools and communities to use in creating, practicing, enforcing, and assessing expectations for all students, enabling them to develop as ethical, responsible, and involved citizens. The report defines the attributes of a healthy and sustainable process for schools and communities as…

Discusses a five-step classroom management program that employs the concepts of clarity, consequences, caring, consistency, and change. When used together, these steps are an effective framework that teachers and administrators can use to help all students learn and maintain appropriate behavior. (ET)

Physical education teachers who can efficiently manage time and student behavior have increased academic learning time. Components of an active elementary physical education discipline plan include establishing rules, creating a record-keeping system, determining the procedure for individual and group positive feedback, and determining…

A student log book for outdoor education was developed to aid Oakland County (Michigan) teachers and supervisors of outdoor education in preparing student campers for their role and responsibilities in the total program. A sample letter to sixth graders explains the purpose of the booklet. General camp rules (10) are presented, followed by 6 woods…

To aid Oregon's school districts in developing policies and procedures for student conduct and discipline, this document suggests guidelines for district preparation and distribution of student conduct codes, including formal and informal student assembly, dress and grooming, use of motor vehicles, search and seizure, attendance, freedom of…

Discusses techniques that teachers can use to help students better understand classroom rules and the reasons for them. Suggests that teachers can use "class meetings" to get students involved in the rule-making process, discussing norms of behavior, asking reflective questions of students, and building classroom unity and cooperation. (MDM)

A self-awareness checklist is provided for teachers to assess the safety of their classroom environment. Aspects of school safety included in the checklist are: student behavior policies, teacher responsibility, facilities and equipment maintenance, and planning for emergency procedures. (FG)