The purpose of this study is to investigate factors that may influence school administrators' disciplinary decisions involving students with disabilities. Confirmatory factor analysis suggests that the investigator-developed measures adequately represent the hypothesized latent factors per the pattern of observed responses. The hypothesized…

Corporal punishment is still legal under various circumstances in the United States public schools. This practice is specified in the discipline policies of cities and towns in roughly twenty-two states. Corporal punishment usually takes the form of paddling with wooden paddles or sticks by school administrators with the consent of the parents.…

School personnel need to learn about the outcomes of controversial education cases. Research on school law knowledge indicates that teachers and students would benefit from learning the basic principles of school law. (six references) (MLF)

Discusses U.S. student rights under the First Amendment, explaining that many teachers lack understanding of the First Amendment, and many schools isolate civics to the classroom and do not practice what they teach. The First Amendment Schools Project seeks to develop schools that model and teach the rights and responsibilities undergirding the…

This manual, an update of the 1979 publication, "Pennsylvania Guidelines for Student Discipline," is intended for use by Pennsylvania school districts as they review or revise their student discipline codes. It presents a structure for responses to student misconduct, which lists student misbehaviors by type and assigns appropriate…

This report describes problems directly related to the present method of dealing with suspension and expulsion in the Chicago public schools and recommends specific strategies for dealing with these problems. Problems discussed include: (1) the need for a definition of "gross misconduct"; (2) the need for the dissemination of information…

The central theme of this discussion deals with the legal aspect and increasing prominence of due process of law as it relates to the rights of students in public schools. (Author)

Examines the practices in a large public high school where constitutional language and democratic citizenship education--judicious discipline--are introduced into the decision-making processes of the classroom. Data analysis suggests that a considerable number of students felt they possessed a high level of respect and responsibility as a result.…

Notes that while notice and a hearing are giant steps, the tremendous number of suspensions in public schools across the country, particularly in the inner city, may continue to rise unless they are also monitored much more closely by parents. (Author/AM)

The U.S. Supreme Court decision in "Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier" established that a public high school newspaper, produced by students in a journalism class, is not a forum for public expression. The Court said that although school board policy specified that student free speech would not be restricted, other factors…

Districts should develop a procedure for the handling of their relations with law enforcement officials that balances students' and parents' rights with the responsibilities of law enforcement officials. This balance can be maintained only through a good working relationship between the school and law enforcement personnel in which each recognizes…

Reviews the continuing legal and political battles against corporal punishment and discusses the legal future of corporal punishment in view of social and legislative changes since "Ingraham." (81 footnotes) (MLF)

Suspension and expulsion should be a school's court of last resort. Before moving straight to suspension, school officials should provide discipline options such as counseling and alternative schools. Describes a rural New York school district where suspension and expulsion are rare. The goal is to keep every student in school so they can learn.…

Unreasonable disciplinary and administrative practices by school personnel make it imperative that the courts interfere in the operation of public schools. (LH)

After a review of the legal foundations of school governance and specific protection offered handicapped students by federal legislation, this report focuses on Oregon regulations and practices and outlines recommendations for appropriate disciplinary procedures for students categorized as handicapped. Since the Education for All Handicapped…