Racial inequity has long been an issue in the educational system. In recent years, researchers and policy makers have begun to recognize the role of implicit bias in the disproportionate number of African American children who are suspended or expelled from school. Particular attention is being given to the use of exclusionary practices in early…

Special education research and practice has had an inextricable link to case law. Indeed, Smith, Katsiyannis, and Ryan (2014) suggest that case law can be a useful tool in providing legal information, identifying emerging areas of need, and in informing practice. As such, the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) rulings, hearings, and Dear Colleague…

This article discusses the significance of adult connections for adolescents' sense of school belonging and identifies areas for future research and practice by (a) exploring the influence of adult connections on adolescents' sense of school belonging; (b) reviewing the literature regarding school belonging outcomes; (c) identifying…

The majority of children do come to school to learn, but it only takes a few persistent troublemakers to rob an entire class of that opportunity. Disruptions in the form of lateness, talking out of turn, and disrespecting the teacher and other students take a serious toll on the educational process. Polls have shown that parents, teachers, and the…

This description of the development of a discipline policy at the Downers Grove (Illinois) Public Library recounts discipline problems, the process of creating the policy, and its effects. The text of the rules of behavior and a sample page from the procedures manual, which provides practical guidelines for enforcement, are included. (MES)

Describes a method for controlling minor incidents of disruptive behavior and failure to prepare for class. (MCG)

A three-year study of data on student discipline in one school supports a theory of a relationship between behavior and environmental factors.(MD)

A Saturday session in the Saucon Valley School District, Hallertown (Pennsylvania), including academic tutoring and counseling, is a low-cost effective alternative to suspension. (Author/MLF)

The establishment of a code of discipline leads to better classroom management. Using behavior modification techniques discipline problems are minimized and both teachers and students are the winners. Lists seven rules for the music room and describes methods of positive reinforcement and appropriate punishment. (CS)

Five criteria useful in evaluating any discipline model will help evaluators make sense of a complex issue. Discipline policies should be philosophically sound, pedagogically defensible, psychologically appropriate, pragmatically feasible, and professionally evaluated. (TE)

Outlines the history of corporal punishment in American schools and the development of the debate on its application in the schools. Reviews court decisions since the 1970s that affect the controversy. Includes a list of references. (MD)

Describes pressures and conditions which encourage academic dishonesty and offers tips for its detection and prevention in college political science classes. Significant influences include: pressures to succeed, classroom logistics, testing methods, punishment severity, faculty and administrator attitudes, fear of litigation, bureaucratic red…

Improvement of a school's discipline program can begin with the opinion inventories published by the National Study of School Evaluation. Once teachers, students, and parents have assessed strengths and weaknesses, an appropriate plan can be chosen. This article outlines five approaches. (WD)

The effectiveness claims for Assertive Discipline made by Lee Canter and other advocates are not supported by the limited research that has been conducted in the program's 12 years of existence. (Author/TE)

Principle-centered discipline is based on creating a climate of high expectations for the desired student behavior. When discipline problems persist, reevaluate school rules, punishments, and rewards in light of the principles that underlie the discipline plan. Such a policy requires broad support from the school board and staff. (MLF)