This document contains prepared statements and public witness testimony from the Congressional hearing on deinstitutionalization of juvenile nonoffenders. Following an opening statement by Senator Specter, subcommittee chairman, the text of proposed legislation, S.520, designed to protect dependent children and others from institutional abuse, is…

Violence and the fear of violence are taking an unacceptable toll on the lives and educations of young people in this country. The effects of violence on both individual students and on the learning environment can be devastating. The National Association of State Boards of Education Study Group framed recommendations for attacking this epidemic…

Violent incidents have marred Friday-night football games, Saturday-night dances, and other activities in schools across the country. Describes what a number of districts are doing to protect students at such events and offers advice from school security officers. (MLF)

School systems across the country are adding alternative education programs designed for violent or chronically disruptive youth. Some school districts and states are contracting with private groups to provide programs including residential schools. Other programs include the Youth Challenge Corps, authorized by Congress in 1992, and boot-camp…

Video games are neither neutral nor harmless but represent very specific social and symbolic constructs. Research on the social content of today's video games reveals that sex bias and gender stereotyping are widely evident throughout the Nintendo games. Violence and aggression also pervade the great majority of the games. (MLF)

Despite the school shooting on December 1, 1997, under current state law in Kentucky, school officials and administrators are not likely to be held accountable, even for ignoring the most obvious of warning signs. There should no longer be the rule barring liability that is called sovereign immunity. Instead, the court should examine the actions…

This state-mandated report presents crime statistics at higher education institutions in Florida and an assessment of physical plant security. The crime data list numbers of homicides, forcible sex offenses, robberies, aggravated assaults, burglaries/breaking and entering, larcenies and thefts, and motor vehicle thefts for each state university,…

Examines the relationship between the responsibility of librarians to reject materials that threaten the moral and social values of the community and support for intellectual freedom by the library profession. Criteria that justify the censorship of materials are identified and discussed. (16 references) (CLB)

In "Hosemann v. Oakland Unified School District," a California Superior Court ruled that Oakland public schools have an affirmative duty to alleviate crime and violence on school campuses. Both students and staff members are now protected against violent acts on school grounds. Guidelines are offered for school boards and administrators…

This essay, taken from the 2005 KIDS COUNT Data Book, examines four employment barriers that policymakers and others consider among the most difficult to overcome: substance abuse, domestic violence, a history of incarceration, and depression. These burdens can diminish a person's motivation and ability to find work. Furthermore, they can make it…

Ways in which school leaders can establish "safe schools" are detailed in this guide book. It offers suggestions on how to involve students, parents, law enforcement officials, business and community leaders, and other concerned citizens. This resource guide is designed to help administrators accomplish five goals: (1) assess the school climate by…

Key findings are presented from a survey conducted by the California Research Bureau showing that most California school districts incorporate violence prevention program curricula with a strong police and security presence. Many schools have installed closed circuit video surveillance cameras, canine searches, and metal detectors. Unfortunately,…

This report profiles the issue of youth violence: the history of its appearance in U.S. culture, the recent escalation of gang activity in U.S. communities, and the strategies put forth in smaller cities to meet this challenge. The report notes that there has been an explosion of gang violence in the United States that has been fostered by a…

Data show that gangs, drugs, and random murders are becoming staples in the lives of U.S. children. Every major U.S. city is facing a deadly gang problem, exemplified by drive-by shootings and teenagers brandishing assault weapons. This document presents witness testimony, prepared statements, and panel discussions that examine the problem of gang…

This document for participants comprises the proceedings of a fourth national conference on the retention of black college students. The conference consisted of 6 general sessions, 6 special sessions, 40 concurrent sessions, and several special activities. A total of 103 selected papers were presented. The following key topics were explored in…