University researchers face a significant obstacle when studying schools: their lives as researchers began in schools. How can researchers enter the contemporary high school and see the movement of bodies through those halls as something other than a confirmation or rejection of their own schooling experiences? What special intellectual and…

This booklet provides a short review of the literature on the small-schools movement and describes the common features of effective small schools, as well as offering examples of two schools that have met with success. It gives a closer look at small-schools facilities and outlines six necessary considerations for local and state leaders. The text…

To prevent sexual harassment, schools should have a written policy and should educate students about it. Suggested teaching activities include using current court cases, examining and refining school policy, roleplaying on video, inviting speakers, and using an "Is This Sexual Harassment?" questionnaire describing various behaviors. (SK)

Recounts events surrounding a superintendent's decision to confiscate an anthology from a senior English literature course because of a few words in one of the poems. (TB)

Describes how formal and informal school policies exacerbate the alienation of minority students and intensify social stratification. Discusses the effects of school sanctions, tracking and leveling, economics, sorting and selection, and dependency on minority students. Recommends six state-mandated changes. (DMM)

Examines the problems associated with maintaining ordinary senior middle schools (high schools) in China. Focuses specifically on the difficulties of paying equal attention to vocational and college preparatory programs. (BSR)

Two eastern superintendents explain how to develop sportsmanship in interscholastic athletics. A summit meeting in Superintendent Ritacco's district produced a policy governing sportsmanlike behavior in district athletics programs and community youth leagues. Superintendent Kerr's board embedded sportsmanship in a larger athletic philosophy that…

Provides guidelines for advisers of school publications to follow in order to work well with administrators and produce a successful newspaper, yearbook, or literary magazine. (DF)

Many major studies dealing with high schools agree that schools must press for higher performance standards in basic skills. These studies disagree on the role that vocational education ought to play in public schools. The author offers a checklist of what vocational educators should do to increase their role in shaping new educational policies.…

Stresses the importance of writing policies to ensure content control in high school journalism and to avoid censorship. Reviews the Supreme Court decision in Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier case and its effect on journalism in higher education. Provides points to consider when writing policies. (PA)

This report challenges a major interpretation of test data and cautions against decision-making without first considering alternative interpretations. A review of test score trends over the past 15 years indicates that compensatory education programs (competency-based education, minimum competency testing, etc.) have had a positive impact and that…

Criticizes the report "Public and Private Schools" by Coleman, Hoffer, and Kilgore for failing to consider alternative explanations of school effectiveness and for drawing narrow policy implications. Student body composition and school admissions practices need to be considered in evaluating educational policy alternatives. (RM)

Challenging obstacles that adolescent lesbians encounter are described; strategies for creating a supportive environment for students forming their adolescent identity, regardless of sexual orientation, are presented. Homophobia, identity development, isolation and passing, coming out, and minority issues are discussed. Direct intervention, staff…

This paper reviews the literature which examines school policies currently guiding educational practice in the area of student substance abuse and discusses the relationship between special education and substance-using and substance-abusing students. Reviewed are: (1) definitions of substance abuse, which vary with the conceptualization of the…

High school is becoming the next frontier for after-school advocates. The conceptual and practical leaps from programming for elementary and middle school students to high school students are significant, with huge marketing challenges. Arguing persuasively for investments in this population requires revisiting almost every strategic decision,…