The DeKalb County (Georgia) School System has reduced the number of gun-toting students by over 65% by piecing together a program combining education, community involvement, mandatory expulsion, and video technology. Kids do their part by learning the school's discipline policy, discussing nonviolent alternatives, and carrying clear bookbags. (MLH)

The "boys will be boys" era is over. Districts must take two basic actions to establish schools that are free of sexual harassment: publish a written policy and provide training for students. This article explains California Code and Federal law requirements, the value of special curricula, and the need for maintaining confidentiality,…

The overrepresentation of ethnic minority students, particularly African American males, in the exclusionary discipline consequences of suspension and expulsion has been consistently documented during the past three decades. Children of poverty and those with academic problems are also overrepresented in such discipline consequences. Sadly, a…

A preliminary review of early responses to a questionnaire sent to secondary school principals across the United States revealed that most administrators felt more rigorous due process procedures should be followed in discipline cases than those required by federal regulations and school policies. The principals also tended to believe that…

It is proposed that a disciplinary Saturday school may be a good alternative to student suspension because it solves many of the problems involved with suspending students from school. Allowing students to attend Saturday school rather than being suspended gives them an opportunity to improve their grades and to attend all their regular classes.…

A survey was conducted of parents' opinions regarding school policies and practices. Approximately 2,400 questionnaires were distributed, and 823 (34.3%) were returned. The results indicated that, for the most part, the parents were satisfied with policies and practices. There is clearly a segment of parents who feel that the school is too…

Raises the issue of using corporal punishment in schools. Argues that corporal punishment is not necessary to maintain discipline and that the potential for abuse is enormous. (AS)

Discusses the legal issues involved in controlling student behavior. Indicates that school officials must establish compelling reasons for controls and establish fair procedures for implementing their actions. (JOW)

The rights and privileges granted by the Constitution were affirmed for special-needs students through passage of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). However, difficulties can arise when the duty of the school administrator to maintain order, discipline, and a safe environment clashes with special education students' rights to…

This book describes how schools can promote positive and orderly climates that ensure learning. The text is divided into two parts. Part 1 looks at general concerns and provides a survey of discipline problems that public schools face and how the public views these problems. It discusses regularities, responsibility, and reinforcement--the three…

This report discusses the outcome of a study that investigated the policies of three states that require educational services for all students who are suspended or expelled. The state education departments in California, Hawaii, and Nebraska were asked whether they had special legislation which requires that any student who is suspended or…

Methods of dealing with students' inappropriate behavior, noncompliance, and conflict can be implemented at different levels within the school. Schoolwide interventions include expulsion, suspension, and physical punishment. Classroom interventions include time out, verbal reprimands and commands, logical consequences, and surface management…

The position paper of the Executive Committee of the Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders endorses the use of flexible unified discipline policies. The paper defines discipline, offers a philosophy of school discipline, and identifies preferred practices in the areas of expectations and responses to violation of expectations. (DB)

As violence in school increases, administrators need to assess school security and take steps to make it effective. School employers must have an understanding of student discipline policies for any security system to work. A security assessment should examine such issues as policies and procedure, school sites, school security staff, and…

A four-year study evaluated how establishing, teaching, and reinforcing schoolwide rules and routines and systematically responding to disruptive behavior affected the number of formal office disciplinary referrals in one elementary school. Results revealed that establishing clear standards and having in place a systematic response to disruptive…