This report presents findings on crime and violence in U.S. public schools, using data from the 2007-08 School Survey on Crime and Safety (SSOCS:2008). SSOCS provides information about school crime-related topics from the perspective of schools by asking school principals about the frequency of incidents, such as physical attacks, robberies, and…

The formally reported discipline infractions of second grade students with normally developing speech and language skills were compared to those of second graders with diagnosed language disorders and second graders with diagnosed speech disorders. Students with language disorders were found to have statistically significantly higher numbers of…

The Oregon Statewide Report Card is an annual publication required by law (ORS 329.115), which reports on the state of public schools and their progress towards the goals of the Oregon Educational Act for the 21st Century. The purpose of the Oregon Report Card is to monitor trends among school districts and Oregon's progress toward achieving the…

Findings from the ninth annual Gallup Poll of the public's attitudes toward the public schools are exerpted. (JD)

Using administrative data on public school students in North Carolina, we find that sixth grade students attending middle schools are much more likely to be cited for discipline problems than those attending elementary school. That difference remains after adjusting for the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of the students and their…

This book presents essays written by school reformers that discuss the reform movement and examine the partnership that inspired the creation of small, intimate school communities known as charters. They also reflect on the comprehensive changes that inform each charter and the personal and collective struggles to institutionalize these new…

Physical punishment of children is not only inefficient in maintaining discipline, but also harmful. School officials who favor it are often personally frustrated. (WM)

Issues in suspension reform are examined in this document, which identifies the need for reform in the Oakland, California, public schools and offers suggestions. Data was derived from the conclusions of educational researchers, experiences of educators and students, and analysis of local data. Following the overview, which asserts that the level…

The purpose of this paper is to examine the complex issue of discipline in American public schools in order to understand its effect on the black student and his human development. Discipline is one of the major problems in the educational system today. In the past, parents and teachers attempted to control children with reward and punishment,…

A spring 1984 poll reveals American principals' and teachers' perceptions of the incidence of school crime and disorder, and their greater concern over drugs and alcohol. Data are tabulated and discussed on theft of and damage to personal property, vandalism, extreme verbal abuse, threats to personal safety, and physical attack. (MCG)

The Reagan administration's "Disorder in Our Public Schools" is criticized for misleading statistics, an accusing tone, old data, political motives, and a failure to raise constructive debate. This essay identifies as real needs support for teachers and funds for educating disruptive students. (MJL)

The Oregon Statewide Report Card is an annual publication required by law (ORS 329.115), which reports on the state of public schools and their progress towards the goals of the Oregon Educational Act for the 21st Century. The purpose of the Oregon Report Card is to monitor trends among school districts and Oregon's progress toward achieving the…

This article is a study of conflicting voices inside an alternative high school in Arizona. Voices of alternative schools are, quite often, not included in the discourse of curriculum reform even though the number of alternative schools is growing every year. Bakhtinian novelness of polyphony, chronotope, and carnival are incorporated into an…

A critical look is taken at the standards and philosophy current in the public schools. The continuing trend of permissiveness at all levels is deplored as producing young people who are unable to function literately after their schooling is finished. It is pointed out that teaching innovations over the past years have resulted in increased…

This discussion demonstrates that in some instances what is actually reported as inappropriate student behavior may emanate from teacher-related biases, idiosyncracies, insensitivities, and perhaps teacher inadequacies. (Author/AM)