The "IDRA Newsletter" serves as a vehicle for communication with educators, school board members, decision-makers, parents, and the general public concerning the educational needs of all children across the United States. The focus of this issue is "Strengthening School Safety." Contents include: (1) The Facts about…

American crime and violence have overflowed onto the college/university campus, and are now affecting senior high, junior high and elementary schools. This research presents suggested causes of school crime and also suggests possible solutions. In most urban environments, crime is a "way of life." When assessing the family incomes of…

Problem behavior at school "interferes with the educational process and places a burden on teachers" (U.S. Department of Education 2002, p. III-17). Disciplinary problems have long been linked to negative outcomes for students with disabilities, such as course failure and dropping out of school (Wagner et al. 1991). Parents, administrators,…

Designed to be read by parents and children together, this handbook outlines the standards of behavior, discipline, attendance, and academics established at the Santa Maria Joint Union High School in California. Following a letter of introduction to parents, the student code is divided into four sections. Students' legal and educational rights are…

This handbook presents policies and procedures that affect three schools operated by the Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services to serve students with disabilities: the Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education-Roosevelt, Illinois School for the Deaf, and the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired. The handbook includes…

In response to growing levels of violence in American schools, many communities are deciding to adopt school-uniform policies as part of an overall program to improve school safety and discipline. This document provides the following guidelines for parents, teachers, and school leaders who may consider adopting a school-uniform policy: (1) Get…

Discipline is essential to quality education. A blueprint for classroom discipline is presented that is designed to restore discipline in the classroom. The plan calls for the participation and cooperation of parents, teachers, administrators, the school board, and the students. The plan is based on principles such as: (1) school administrators…

This bulletin reviews the results of a survey of college administrators and security officials by the Harvard School of Public Health concerning their schools' policies regarding alcohol problems on campus. A total of 529 respondents from 347 public and private four-year institutions were asked to complete a mailed questionnaire which examined…