The authors summarize findings of two major meta-analyses that examined the influence of universal, school-based SEL (social-emotional learning) programs on student outcomes in six domains related to social-emotional skills and behavior and academic achievement. Major findings indicated that participating in SEL programs had positive effects on…

Describes a New York City art teacher's successful efforts to encourage interracial harmony by having students transform the mayor's "human mosaic" campaign rhetoric into physical reality. Participation in the project begins with classroom discussions on ethnic groups and ends with a unity-through-diversity mosaic of 250 student-painted…

The goal of the Peer Helping Program in the Bayonne (New Jersey) Public Schools is to develop in students a high degree of self-respect, respect for each other, and respect for their school environment. (Author)

Although educators can do little to change students' out-of-school environments, they can use inhouse suspension time to help them behave more responsibly and become more resilient in handling daily pressures. The adult in charge should assume the role of a supportive resource, establish a personal connection with students, listen, take interest,…

An action-research project examined how implementation of an inclusive rule, "You can't say you can't play," at a Syracuse, New York, elementary school influenced children's informal social relationships, focusing particularly on children with disabilities. Overall, the rule has helped create a rich discourse about inclusion issues,…

The key to violence prevention lies in shaping children's beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors before violence becomes an automatic manifestation of their anger. The Johnson Institute's Respect and Protect program promotes respect for everyone and a systemwide ethos (violence as unacceptable), targets enabling behaviors, distinguishes between…

Based on an analysis of student school records, teachers, administrators, and community citizens have developed a plan to incorporate programs designed to correct specific deficiencies in children in the early elementary grades, to constructively develop academic and social behavior by using positive reinforcement, meaningful rewards, and behavior…

Several schools that eschewed the middle school model and remained K-8 discovered anecdotally that their students showed fewer behavioral problems and higher academic achievement than many students enrolled in middle schools. On the basis of studies that verified these observations, school district leaders in Milwaukee, Baltimore, and Philadelphia…