The "IDRA Newsletter" serves as a vehicle for communication with educators, school board members, decision-makers, parents, and the general public concerning the educational needs of all children across the United States. The focus of this issue is "Education Policy Issues in Texas & Georgia." Contents include: (1) What to…

One of the goals of education systems is to equip all students, irrespective of their individual characteristics, with market-relevant skills. Poor or inadequate skills limit access to better-paying and more rewarding jobs and, ultimately, to better living and health conditions, and higher social and political participation. Yet, inequalities in…

The report contains real-world, proven school climate strategies to guide policymakers in building a comprehensive and coherent state-wide approach for improving school climate. It features 12 recommendations linked to existing state policy examples policymakers can use to build a comprehensive, coherent state-wide approach for improving school…

Most research concludes that corporal punishment in schools does not lead to better student behavior, more respect for teachers, or higher scores on the Achievement Composite Test (ACT). In addition, some research points to the conclusion that corporal punishment of children is associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which can include such…

Research shows that students who experience discipline that removes them from the classroom are more likely to repeat a grade, drop out of school, and become involved in the juvenile justice system. This can result in decreased earning potential and added costs to society (lost tax revenue and incarceration). The Government Accountability Office…

Because the relationship between school disciplinary models and truancy outcomes is unknown, it is difficult for school leaders to understand the costs and benefits of punitive versus nonpunitive discipline. To achieve the State of Georgia's stated policy objectives of lowering truancy and its negative outcomes, this knowledge gap needs to be…

This hearing of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions examines creating positive learning environments for all students beyond seclusion and restraint. Following an opening statement by Honorable Tom Harkin (Chairman, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions) and Honorable Johnny Isakson (U.S. Senator from the State of…

The purpose of this investigation is to describe the outcomes of a multi-state study of written discipline policies in a high school setting. This study examines discipline codes of conduct and analyzes the content for behaviors ranging in severity (mild, moderate, and severe) while specifically examining the use of suspension as a punitive…

Educational leaders have a substantial degree of control over students and generally have a tremendous influence on the decisions that they make. District administrators are already involved in comprehensive efforts to stem sexual harassment, teen violence and bullying; therefore, they may be well positioned to identify and address the problem of…

Middle and high school students subjected to harsh school discipline policies and practices such as suspensions and expulsions are more likely to disengage from the classroom and course work, and increases their chances of dropping out, according to this new report from the Alliance for Excellent Education. The report recommends implementing…

In schools across America, school safety and student discipline remain primary concerns for all stakeholders in the education process. Researchers and educators suggest that implementing a school-wide discipline plan tailored to meet the needs of a particular school setting is one solution to the complex behavior management problem. The limited…

This paper compares data collected in a 1974 survey of discipline problems in Georgia secondary schools with data from a similar survey conducted by the same investigators in 1961. The 1961 survey examined 20 types of student misbehavior that had been identified in earlier studies; the 1974 survey included those 20 plus 13 additional items. The…

A study was done of a program designed to suspend disruptive secondary school students from classroom activities in a high school 45 miles outside of Atlanta (Georgia), focusing on the role of race and gender. The school had had an in-school suspension program since 1986. The school population was 1,097 students (507 males and 590 females), with…

This publication contains the edited text of the proceedings of the September 1976 Conference on Education for Georgia Legislators. Addresses by 20 experts from Georgia and around the country are presented. The proceedings are intended to help legislators, educators, parents, and others interested in deeper insight into the issues of educational…