In this article, we consider a series of U.S. Supreme Court rulings that place public school students under an expansive shield of constitutional rights while often hampering the ability of administrators to engage in flexible and creative conflict resolution in the context of the school's mission. The court's readiness to adjudicate a large range…

The release of "The New Zealand Curriculum" causes us to rethink the aims of education. Dr Cavanagh offers an alternative set of aims to the vision outlined in the Ministry of Education document, which is based, at least in part, on socialisation into the corporate industrial world. Dr Cavanagh's position is focused on putting…

Mediation is a process for resolving disputes and conflicts in which a neutral third party acts as a moderator. Assisted negotiation help students work out their differences constructively and nonviolently. In this article, the author, who is a middle and elementary school teacher and principal for 15 years, believes in mediation as the safest way…

In this article, Janice Wearmouth, formerly professor of education at the University of Wellington, New Zealand and now at Liverpool Hope University, Rawiri McKinney, an advocate for Rangatahi who has recently completed his Master of Education degree, and Ted Glynn, foundation professor of teacher education at the University of Waikato, discuss…

Adolescents struggle with many types of conflicts in their lives. They must define relationships with friends, teachers, parents, and themselves. Disagreements will arise, and without the proper training, many teens are left feeling angry, confused, or depressed. Teaching middle school students to deal with conflict productively at an early age…

Some people view bullying as a normal aspect of childhood; teachers who prevent bullying know that this is not true. Bullying is a deliberate act that hurts young victims, both emotionally and physically. Aside from the victims, bullying affects people around them by distracting, intimidating, and upsetting them. Basically, bullying in the…

Reviews issues associated with discipline in Canadian schools. Topics include the role of citizenship and political education in discipline policy, the role of the school counselor, conflict resolution through mediation, discipline in daily life, building a student discipline code, and self-instruction training for the impulsive student. (JAC)

In exploring peace education in South Africa, the paper reviews a research report on the subject, focusing on the needs of children and youth and on the range of programmatic and research initiatives already working in this field. Summarizes three issues: recommended policy guidelines related to peace education for South-African children,…

It is the position of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) that all elementary school children should be provided with at least one daily period of recess of at least 20 minutes in length. Various cited organizations support school recess as an integral component of a child's physical, social, and academic development,…

Although the issues of conflict and violence cannot be blamed on schools, schools are one of the most logical places to tackle problems associated with conflict. This booklet offers practical tips to help school leaders, staff, and students resolve their disputes peacefully. It focuses on student-versus-student and student-versus-teacher…

Asserts that today's students must cope with considerable hostility and find the courage to survive aggression (e.g., through organized religion). Without religion in schools, educators lose values that teach children to be ethical, contributing citizens. Teachers must be leaders in moral development in order to help students understand how their…

Violence is becoming the number one problem in United States schools. Approximately 20 percent of high school students regularly carry guns and other weapons. Several nonviolent measures are appropriate to reduce violence in schools; but only the implementation of multiple ideas and measures, not "quick fix" solutions, will curb…

Written primarily for teachers and educators, school administrators and personnel, policy makers, and parents, this book discusses the alternative control procedures available to educators faced with student behavior problems and presents one set--those related to problem management--as most effective. The authors' Systematic Management Plan for…

This book looks at how teachers and young children talk to each other in the classroom, describing how a good teacher will use these conversations to build an encouraging classroom--a community where mutual acceptance is the priority and where children can learn the skills they will need in larger communities in the future. The skills include…

Teacher education programs should stress the development of classroom management skills before and during preservice teachers' field experiences. Research on interpersonal communications, as related to the role of the teacher and the teaching situation has identified a need for increased effectiveness in facilitative interpersonal functioning and…