Discusses techniques that teachers can use to help students better understand classroom rules and the reasons for them. Suggests that teachers can use "class meetings" to get students involved in the rule-making process, discussing norms of behavior, asking reflective questions of students, and building classroom unity and cooperation. (MDM)

Asserts that students can make sound decisions regarding educational change. Discusses the shift from adult to student-led decision making in a California middle school's student council program. Describes activities organized by the student council and the resulting growth of student responsibility. (CFR)

Constitutional implications of the University of Massachusetts' establishment and termination of a legal services office, and a student challenge to its closure, are examined, focusing on the court's decision to disregard forum analysis and instead apply subsidy analysis, which almost predetermined the final holding. (MSE)

Summarizes the major constitutional rights of students which are supported by recent court cases in the areas of religion; freedom of speech, expression, and assembly; student government; academic penalties and grades; pregnant and married students; exclusion from extracurricular activities; punishment; police in the schools; student records; and…

Asserts that England's civic universities maintained a much less restrictive environment than Oxford or Cambridge. Civic university women participated in all aspects of student life often exceeding the involvement of male students. Argues that social and economic differences contributed to this dichotomy. (MJP)

Students in a Winnipeg (Manitoba) alternative high school participated in a project designed to increase student voice in their own learning and in school direction. Studying emotional intelligence, helping plan a provincial student conference, and conducting research on student priorities developed real-world skills, increased appreciation of…

The major constitutional rights of secondary school students are examined. Areas include: discipline, religious freedom, right to assemble and petition, rights of pregnant and of married students, academic penalties, and student records. (CJ)

Reviews the literature and the recent history of student participation in college and university governance. Presents data from studies attempting to assess the nature and extent of such participation and examines learning opportunities in student participation. Suggests ideas and models for thinking about participation in the future. (RJM)

Presents a checklist of student-government advisers' responsibilities governing bylaws, organization, section or appointment guidelines, job descriptions, committees, meetings, attendance policies, decision making, problem solving, public relations, goals, communication methods, training, budgets, fund raising, advertising, and other matters. A…

Examines issues in the development of campus programming for distance learners, including creating effective orientation programs, promoting participation in student government and student organizations, providing service learning opportunities, and offering wellness and recreational sports opportunities. (MSE)

Suggests that student affairs professionals must continue to encourage ethnic minority students to become widely involved in student governance activities. Notes that this involvement will help to foster an environment that promotes human growth and development; it will also aid the institution in retaining these students. (Author)

Strategies to implement partnership teaching in the classroom include considering unsuccessful attempts at negotiating social situations as mistakes rather than misbehavior, introducing Gandhi's concept of truthful love, and using nonviolent communication in conflict resolution. A partnership school council involves all students in school…

Too often citizenship education in schools is sterile and removed from real issues--it is designed to teach about democracy, not practice it. Classroom practices are less important than school culture and classroom climate. Students need to see and experience democracy in their schools; teacher education programs, educational systems, and high…

A close relationship exists between German society, the political system, and public schools. Following reunification, the school systems in former East Germany have undergone dramatic changes to accommodate the philosophy of democracy. The state of Saxony's changes include parent and student participation in school governance, emphasis on…

Describes a middle school experiment where the student government was reorganized and structured along the model of the U.S. government. The government contains a senate, house of representatives, and a judiciary. Legislation, committees, and student appointments are handled in a manner paralleling the national government. (MJP)