The Massachusetts Supreme Court overturned a lower court's ruling against a speech pathology teacher whose contract was not renewed following a parent's complaint. The teacher had explained 4-letter words to 13 year-olds, bringing them up in class, then discouraged further usage. Judges decided the teacher had acted creatively in response to…

According to national statistics on death rates, criminal behavior, and other indicators, the well-being of White adolescents has declined markedly between 1960 and 1980, despite certain improvements in families, schools, and youth programs. American culture seems geared to a selfish individualism inconsistent with maintaining strong families and…

Increased pressure is facing many administrators today for teachers to assign more homework to students. Recent research is reviewed that correlates homework positively with student achievement, and the need for a homework policy in school districts is emphasized. (TE)

Administrators must review school policies and practices to ensure that the needs of the increasing numbers of students from nontraditional families are being met. Administrators can further communication by providing teachers with accurate information about students' family structure, establish joint expectations and responsibility for a child's…

Reviews several retention-related federal court decisions and suggests 10 best practices that school administrators can use when considering or implementing student-retention policies. (Authors/PKP)

Vandalism is a major problem in the schools today, and the first step in combatting it is to develop clear, specific, and enforced rules for your school. (Editor)

Suicide is the second major cause of death for adolescents, after accidents. Administrators should adopt cautious and comprehensive policies, risk management, and prevention programs. Educators should recognize warning signs: suicide threats, recent losses, traumatic events, sudden changes in appearance, heavy drug or alcohol use, and…

Since 1990, there have been at least six published court decisions concerning teachers' use of controversial videos in public schools. A relevant district policy led the Colorado Supreme Court to uphold a teacher's termination for showing 12th graders an R-rated 1900 Bertolucci film on fascism. Implications are discussed. (MLH)

Outlines the experiences of one small district in introducing microcomputers. Lessons learned concern a computer checkout procedure and teacher inservice training. (JM)

Describes an attendance policy that, although initially successful in cutting absences, was widely disliked. Details the modifications that, without impeding effectiveness, made the program more respected. (JM)

Graduate students in a school leadership class developed an action plan that encourages women to become and remain administrators and challenges societal assumptions regarding women in leadership. Strategies are advised for identifying and encouraging potential candidates; supporting female administrators; sensitizing the public, school staff, and…

Two recent studies suggest that the role of the principal is indeed affected by collective bargaining, so that principals lose autonomy and take on new responsibilities. Four references are provided. (DCS)

In June 1995, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Vernonia (Oregon) School District's right to conduct random drug tests of its student athletes. The court balanced a seventh grader's privacy interest with the state's interest in curbing drug abuse among student athletes. Before adopting drug-testing policies, school boards should assess the local…

Principals set the tone and create visions for innovation and change. Mounting research about the brain tempered with cautions of over interpretations can aid the principals to provide leadership in implementing more brain compatible schools. Practical strategies encompass the emotional environment of the school, policies, and procedures that…

Argues that current grading practices in some schools lack consistency in several critical areas, including criteria for failure, absolute or relative standards, and motivation of slower students. Policies are suggested that will help educators develop fairer and more humane marking systems. (TE)