School change efforts to develop schools as learning communities result in schools that are constantly learning and thus changing. This collective case study of four schools involved in a 4-year reform effort begins to examine the ongoing sustainability of a learning community. The study draws insights about the sustainability of learning…

Results suggest that perhaps too much emphasis is placed on the more extreme aspects of student discipline when the most prevalent types of student misbehaviors are relatively mild and may actually be more dangerous to student and teacher morale than to the physical well-being of persons or property. (Author/IRT)

Describes an internship program for preparing principals that has been in operation in Indiana since 1971. (IRT)

A survey of Indiana secondary school administrators indicated that the most effective reactive discipline methods were alternative schools, suspensions, and Saturday schools. The least effective was detention. The number one problem was student tardiness. Larger schools had more students involved with gang activity, drug use, and vandalism. The…

Violence-prevention measures at railroad crossings may not work at schools! This special issue highlights three approaches to dealing with youth violence: prevention (peace building); intervention (peace making); and security (peace keeping). The problem stems from incivility, lack of respect, and unconstructive communication. Diverse perspectives…

Describes a collaborative Purdue University and Twin Lakes School Corporation (Indiana) project to specify and demonstrate research-based instructional models facilitating the development of students' higher thinking skills. The project has developed a special site where student teachers can observe and practice teaching these skills. Includes 10…

A survey of 1,801 public- and private-school principals in Indiana revealed disparities among rankings of perceived job priorities and actual priorities. Only three items were rated comparably: school climate, curriculum expansion, and improved staff morale. Improving time management is an important factor. (MLH)

Follow-up study of 16 Indiana high schools disclosed that 10 years of discussion and practice yielded little progress. Modest gains included microscopically better new teacher training, slightly reduced class size, and more administrative support. Teachers in other disciplines remained indifferent to student writing problems and equally resistant…

SAFARI (Student Assistance for At-Risk Individuals) is a nationally recognized, comprehensive K-12 program that addresses drug and alcohol use, sociological concerns, conflicts experienced by students, and at-risk behaviors interfering with academic success. Two neighboring Indiana school districts have combined resources to develop a program…