Discriminatory discipline has been widely documented for decades, yet little progress has been made to narrow the gap. Due to the long-standing history of discriminatory discipline, current nationwide data, and recent federal initiatives, there is a need for a comprehensive examination of this critical issue. Therefore, we discuss populations…

Suggests a comprehensive problem-solving model that addresses discipline from a preventative perspective. Model provides guidelines for problem identification, methods of problem analysis, intervention techniques, and evaluation of discipline intervention. (JW)

Suicide is the second major cause of death for adolescents, after accidents. Administrators should adopt cautious and comprehensive policies, risk management, and prevention programs. Educators should recognize warning signs: suicide threats, recent losses, traumatic events, sudden changes in appearance, heavy drug or alcohol use, and…

The Character Education Partnership, a national coalition, has developed 11 principles to help students internalize desirable societal values. Successful character-education programs require committed school leadership, a common vocabulary, staff development, integration with academics, a focus on respect for others, and service learning. Program…

A unique approach to dealing with truancy gives students "instant" credit for work completed at the end of each marking period. (Author/MLF)

The addition of an attendance clerk and the implementation of a system that stresses the importance of attendance have worked well to reduce absenteeism at North Harford Senior High School in Pylesville, Maryland. (Author/MLF)

A student participatory model, developed to combat a drug problem, could be helpful in solving other school problems. (Author/MLF)

A new attendance policy is outlined that is credited with significantly reducing unauthorized absences at Hauppauge High School in New York. (Author/MLF)

Despite increasing education-related litigation activity (and costs) since 1960, the model for preventing such lawsuits has remained unchanged since then. Although administrative knowledge and competent legal counsel are critical to any district's effective operation, a middle- or high-school teacher's lack of knowledge, expertise, and experience…

Educational philosopher Jane Martin believes educators should reconceptualize the production-oriented schoolhouse as the "schoolhome," responsible for teaching both the three R's and the three C's: care, concern, and connection (the "reproductive" aspects of society). Personal development, collaborative problem solving, and…

Although violence prevention programs can be helpful, they are frequently poorly targeted and unrealistic about the social forces driving student behavior. Conflict-resolution training is effective when it occurs within a cooperative context, teaches students when a conflict is or isn't occurring, stresses concrete negotiation and mediation…

Chronically disruptive students are often funneled into "watered-down" alternative schools that warehouse rather than educate them. The Atlantic County (New Jersey) Alternative High School is a successful college-based program that expects referred students to fulfill normal academic requirements while taking tuition-free college…

Principals and counselors can work together to prevent stress and burnout in teachers, resulting in a healthier school climate. This article suggests five objectives that can provide a basis for program building. (Author/WD)

The causes of vandalism are communitywide in nature, and only by marshalling the resources in the community can vandalism be overcome. (Author/MLF)