State laws pertaining to truants, runaways, and other "status offenders"--as distinguished from delinquents who have committed crimes--are discussed. Characteristics of these youths and their families are noted. Shortcomings of existing programs for them and the need for educational alternatives are pointed out. (PP)

Pressures that may cause stress in children and adolescents are discussed. Shifting family paterns due to divorce or working parents, stressful situations at day care centers, busy schedules during adolescence, test anxiety at school, and watching violence on television all can increase stress for today's children. (PP)

Changes in families have brought new sources of stress into the home. Much daily stress can be handled if families use effective ways of dealing with it. Guidelines for reducing stress are presented, including a section on children's stress. (MT)

Children may be exposed to environmental hazards such as lead, arsenic, and dangerous pesticides more often than parents may realize. Dangers of more commonly used chemicals found in the environment are listed. (DF)

Describes a trip by youth from around the nation to Washington, DC, to testify about various issues (e.g., drug abuse, disability rights, and foster care) at a hearing before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Human Resources as part of National Children's week. Photographs from the hearing are included. (SM)

Youth gangs can be found throughout all racial, ethnic, and religious groups. Characteristics of gang membership and suggestions for parent and school involvement in preventing gangs are discussed. (DF)

The Chicago (Illinois) public school system has developed a discipline program that stresses fair and consistent discipline. School personnel, parents, students, and the community are all involved in school activities. Several of the programs and activities are discussed. (DF)

Children with diabetes can take part in normal school activities as long as they maintain control over their blood sugar level through a technique called self blood-glucose monitoring. Parents can work with teachers to see that dietary and medicinal needs are accommodated. (PP)

Steps are outlined that parents of handicapped children may follow if they wish to pursue complaints about their child's education. The steps include: (1) identifying the problem; (2) understanding the school system organization; (3) knowing their rights; and (4) trying to reach informal agreements before using legal remedies. (PP)

This article reports on issues concerning the popularity of video games and the effects the games may have on youngsters. Parents' concerns about lack of supervison at video arcades and school absenteeism are voiced, and communities' efforts to restrict the arcades are related. The position of the national Parent Teacher Association is stated. (PP)

The problems of latchkey children--those who are at home alone after school--are discussed. Schools can help these children by: (1) teaching them "survival skills," such as how to cope with emergencies, younger siblings, and fear; and (2) offering supervised after-school activities. (PP)