This article examines various aspects of school physical characteristics relating to problem behavior among students. We hypothesize that an attractive physical environment will be associated with less truancy, cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use, whereas a negative physical environment will be associated with higher levels of these behaviors.…

The Ramsey School District (New Jersey) educates approximately 2,200 students, 90 percent of which continue on to a post-high school education. However, in the last few years Melville has noticed a decline in student achievement. Following the New Jersey State Department of Education adoption of Code 6:26, Public Assistance Committees, the…

Eric Hanushek and Steven Rivkin examine how salary and working conditions affect the quality of instruction in the classroom. The wages of teachers relative to those of other college graduates have fallen steadily since 1940. Today, average wages differ little, however, between urban and suburban districts. In some metropolitan areas urban…

This resource book was developed to provide information that state and local leaders can use to stimulate discussion of the problem of students at risk and support the planning of initiatives that address the problem. An overview defines students at risk, summarizes the content of the book, and lists recent reports and publications on the problem…

This document contains testimonies of witnesses and prepared statements from the Congressional hearing called to examine alternative programs designed to provide education to disruptive and delinquent students who may be a threat to other students and teachers in the regular school. Statements are included from Senator Hatch, who presents…

Reports on the results of several major studies of high school dropouts. Topics addressed are who drops out and why; school-related causes; and prevention policies and programs. Stresses the urgency of addressing the nationwide dropout problem and recommends courses of action. Appended are 19 references. (IW)

Student problems and needs are an important component to be considered in the educational process. Outlines the dimensions of a program called Quest that helps students with social and personal skill development. (MD)

Statistics indicate that young males are far more likely than young females to suffer from self-destructive behavior, commit suicide, and be in special education programs. Some schools are aggressively recruiting male teachers; others have found that all-male classes can help hold boys' interest. Some maintain the schools have short-changed girls…

This annual report on the numbers of homeless children in Massachusetts and their educational experiences is based on information from the following six sources: (1) family, adolescent, and battered women shelters; (2) the Massachusetts Department of Public Welfare (Welfare); (3) the Massachusetts Department of Social Services (DSS); (4) school…

Focusing on the role of the California State University (CSU) in renewing and strengthening the transfer function, this report includes information on the history and importance of transfer, low transfer rates and other problems, CSU and cooperative efforts to improve transfer, and joint plans of the CSU and the state's community colleges to…

In fall 1988, the Board of Trustees of the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) requested a study of the district's enrollment process to determine sources of increasing student enrollment, reasons for delays in the registration process at Mesa College, and practices regarding the redirection of students to other campuses. Study findings,…

Public schools and social service agencies often serve the same clients and have some of the same goals. To achieve many of the goals that each sector is placing on its own reform agenda, complementary action is a must. For this publication, 13 interviews were conducted with both educators and social workers who have gained experience with the…

The Maine Department of Educational and Cultural Services (DECS) received funding under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 to develop a state plan for assuring access to a free and appropriate education for homeless children and youth. A second-year grant was to be made to DECS upon submission of a state plan to the U.S.…

The first two-thirds of this book, an adaptation of the 1984 television documentary "To Save Our Schools, To Save Our Chldren," reports on an ABC News Closeup study of the challenges facing education in the United States. The book discusses the vast dispartities between educational ideals and realities, suggests that the future of…

This report describes Oklahoma's response to requirements for the education of homeless children and youth of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987. The report includes an introduction and an overview of Subtitle B of the McKinney Act and is divided into four sections. Section I, "Functions of the SDE Office," describes…