An outcome evaluation was conducted for seven Project SHIELD (Supporting Healthy Individuals and Environments for Life Development) research-based and best practices interventions using secondary data from the 26th largest school district in the nation. The SHIELD program is designed to provide students and schools with enhanced infrastructure and…

In this paper, the author analyzes the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities program and reveals the inherent flaws of what he calls "symbolic pork." The program is popular because it addresses subjects about which the public is deeply concerned: school safety and substance abuse. He notes that since 1986 the program has received…

A study evaluated a consultative approach to assisting a middle school (n=617 students) in implementing empirically based school-wide behavior management practices. The effective behavior support program resulted in increased positive reinforcement for appropriate social behavior and decreased aggressive social behavior among students. Discipline…

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) compiled this guide for schools, community groups, and individuals who are choosing programs that teach personal safety to children. A task force of eight other organizations contributed to the guide. The guide defines child victimization as sexual abuse and assault, abduction,…

Schools are expected to provide a safe environment and to play an active role in socializing children for participation in a civil society. Most schools have programs to prevent problem behavior and serious misconduct such as drug use and violence. But how good are these programs? A recent national study surveyed principals, teachers, program…

In 1997, the Connecticut State Department of Education awarded a grant Western Michigan University to evaluate Connecticut's charter schools and charter school initiative from 1997-2002. The study used existing databases, site visits, focus groups, and surveys to gather data regarding the movement's effectiveness, progress, and impact, examining…

In spite of its short history, education that is inclusive of LGBTQ issues has developed in three major paradigms: (1) safety; (2) equity; and (3) critical theory. A review of research and program evaluation of teacher education with regard to LGBTQ reveals only a limited number of studies--most of which fall within either the safety or equity…

This qualitative study explored the effects of the Second Step Curriculum, designed to teach the social skills necessary for children to peacefully solve problems and resolve conflicts through empathy training, impulse control, and anger management. The study focused on teachers' perceptions of the program: what they perceived to be the program…

The purpose of this study was to examine exemplary communication efforts of 12 selected outstanding schools in the United States. The methodology employed was case study methodology supplemented by interviews with key educational administrators. The results show unusual and outstanding ways that schools communicate with parents and the public, as…

In a survey commissioned by the Hamilton Fish Institute, Education Law Center (ELC), surveyed key national education stakeholder groups to determine their position on zero tolerance student discipline policies and school safety, and whether the organizations are involved in any work on zero tolerance policies. Implementation of these policies is…

This report summarizes evaluation results for AISD's federally-funded Title IV Safe and Drug-free Schools program activities for the 2003-2004 school year.

This report highlights three of the programs funded through the Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative in Pinellas County, Florida. These programs are: (1) Think First, an anger management program for high school students; (2) Families and Schools Together (FAST), a parenting program for parents of at-risk elementary students; and (3) On-Campus…

In 2001, the Pennsylvania Department of Education contracted with Western Michigan University to evaluate Pennsylvania's charter schools and charter school initiative over two years. The study used site visits, work sample review, document review, focus groups, portfolios and surveys to gather data regarding the movement's effectiveness, progress,…

Designed to measure the effectiveness of selected school special services, the evaluative instruments collected here are the result of several years of research and refinement. The descriptive criteria developed by the author may be used as a guide for initiating a new program or applied for self-evaluation or team evaluation of existing services.…

Twenty-seven categorical and topical reports by nationally preeminent scholars comprise this report, intended to provide background information for Congress in reauthorizing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). An introductory synthesis addresses principles of the IDEA, evidence of the Law's effectiveness and the effectiveness…