This article provides a tabular analysis of court rulings where public school principals challenged the adverse employment actions of involuntary transfer, suspension, demotion, nonrenewal, constructive termination, and termination during the period 1998-2012. The primary findings were that (a) the judicial outcomes were markedly in favor of the…

Describes a Prescriptive Discipline Plan developed by teachers at a Florida middle school. The plan featured three offense categories: minor infractions handled by teachers, intermediate offenses (cheating, disrespect, and insubordination) handled by administrators, and serious offenses (fighting, assault, sexual misconduct) invoking automatic…

For those who aspire to become administrators, it is important that they have some advance functional knowledge of the assistant principalship. Myriad demands are made on this position, which is largely an under-appreciated one. This writer portrays both the advantages and disadvantages inherent in the job. (Editor)

Describes the qualities of a good disciplinary policy. (JM)

An examination of disciplinary guidelines indicates that school officials are held to a higher standard of proof in disciplinary proceedings involving students with disabilities. Principals have considerable leeway for short-term disciplinary exclusions, and for excluding any students bringing firearms to school. Preventive measures are best for…

Lack of discipline as a major problem in schools crops up annually in the Gallup Poll of Public Attitudes Toward Education. Yet, educators feel that they're in a legal strait jacket, unable to punish student offenders. How can educators get out of this double bind? Options still remain open, says this author. (Editor)

A high school principal explains her strategy for turning around a disorderly, gang-ridden middle school. Her discipline plan's success hinged on developing schoolwide expectations for behavior, developing positive consequences, compiling a list of unacceptable behaviors, and empowering teachers to administer consequences, including contacting…

Instead of relegating their assistant principal to discipline and attendance, the Frankfurt (West Germany) American High School restructured the AP role to focus on instructional leadership, employee supervision, collegiality, training, and positive student interactions. Conflict resolution, lunchtime intramurals, town hall meetings, and a…

Principals' efforts to ensure that students develop a positive attitude toward their school may be organized into four areas: developing a school climate conducive to learning; providing for students' individual success; facilitating positive communication; and having a multifaceted approach to discipline. (Author/MLF)

Asserting that informing parents about the discipline policies and procedures in their children's schools will reduce misunderstandings and inappropriate expectations and encourage parent participation, this article outlines specific methods principals can use to communicate discipline information to parents. (PGD)

Well-disciplined schools make appropriate school discipline a part of every curriculum, program, and practice. Key organizational variables include staff and community involvement, sensitivity to students' racial and socioeconomic concerns, and effective intervention strategies, such as the anger-management seminars, awareness discussion groups,…