The United States Supreme Court in Kennedy v. Bremerton Sch. Dist. held that a local school district violated the First Amendment freedom of religious expression rights when it directed an assistant football coach to stop praying on the fifty-yard line of a high school football field after each game. In finding for the high-school football coach,…

The research examined school leaders' opinions, attitudes, and performative actions toward teacher absenteeism. Existing research has primarily focused on interventions implemented by the Teachers' Service Commission to curb teacher absenteeism, and yet since leaders are the main agents and their actions are context bound, their actual actions and…

Principals should lead for social justice, particularly in support of marginalized and vulnerable students like lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) adolescents. This quantitative survey-based study collected data from 116 middle grade principals in Indiana to examine the implementation of antibullying policies and best…

The school counseling literature emphasizes the importance of confidentiality in the counseling relationship. In some circumstances, school policy may require disclosure of content discussed in counseling unrelated to threat of harm to self or others. This pilot study investigated secondary school principals' attitudes toward the practice of…

In the United States, students with disabilities are disproportionately exposed to exclusionary discipline. Using Intergroup Threat Theory, literature was analyzed to identify expressed perceptions from school administrators that indicated perceived threat. Analysis revealed perceived threats to administrator beliefs, values, job performance, and…

The research question was "What dress norms and related rationales are found in teacher dress policies?" Data were 102 school employee handbooks. Eighty-two handbooks (80.4%) provided one or more rationale, most frequently being "To project a positive image in the community" (n = 56). Dress norms, categorized as broad and itemized, were determined…

This article addresses important legal issues surrounding voluntary school integration plans and explores policy and practice implications of the "Seattle" and "Louisville" cases. School policy guidance for how school districts should create or change their voluntary integration policies is discussed. Further discussion reveals what some school…

Ellison High School in Kileen, Texas, withholds credit for any course in which the student has been absent excessively. (JM)

Following a brief literature review and a case study involving multiple suicides within a one-week period, recommendations are offered for dealing with the death of a student. The key to addressing adolescent suicide in schools is advance planning and clear task responsibilities. Includes 10 references. (MLH)

Young students have little understanding of grades. This article examines grading systems and standards and presents grading guidelines, beginning with grade five. Teachers should explain grades to students; base grades on a predetermined set of standards and on students' progress, attitudes, and relative class standing; consider various sources;…

Most research shows no correlation between homework and student achievement and finds homework for primary grades inappropriate and counterproductive. After summarizing major purposes and types of homework and associated problems, the article provides seven recommendations for developing a workable school policy. (MLH)

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg, North Carolina, school system has instituted a program to improve attendance based on a year-long Danforth Foundation study of national attendance improvement measures. (JM)

Concerned about discrepancies in amount and kind of homework assigned, a Tennessee school district developed some guidelines governing number of homework nights, assignment length, and grading practices. Because it is virtually impossible to require every teacher to carry out identical homework practices, school policies should remain general and…

The prompt, fair handling of students involved in the use and abuse of drugs in the school setting is effective in altering the behavior of students. (Author/MLF)

The addition of an attendance clerk and the implementation of a system that stresses the importance of attendance have worked well to reduce absenteeism at North Harford Senior High School in Pylesville, Maryland. (Author/MLF)