The use of physical violence on students affronts democratic values and infringes on individual rights; furthermore, a study of school violence found a high correlation between physical punishment and violent behavior of students. (Author/MLF)

Due process requirements should not be an excuse for failing to maintain firm standards of conduct. Due process demands that policies for discipline and punishment be established, and these policies will help by spelling out the rights and options of both students and educators. (Author/MLF)

This pamphlet for parents of children with disabilities discusses regulations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act that relate to discipline procedures, including suspension or removal, manifestation determination, and interim alternative educational settings. Presented in a question-and-answer format, it specifically addresses:…

Reviews the National Institute of Education's 1978 study of school crime. Offers several social trends as possible causes for recent increases in school crime. Suggests methods for reducing violence in the schools. (BE)

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…

To establish effective school discipline policies, educators need to understand (1) the nature of and reasons for misbehavior, (2) social and legal attitudes toward the school's disciplinary function, (3) acceptable responses to disciplinary problems, and (4) what effective policies cover. This booklet's first chapter considers the need for…

A discussion of the political aspects of administrative decision-making concerns the sanctioning or prohibiting of corporal punishment in schools in general and the action taken when teachers who use corporal punishment come under attack. The data, derived from the author's participant observation in the Detroit Public Schools, indicate that (1)…

This handbook is designed for students who attend the Arkansas School for the Deaf. It explains the rules of the school and some of the possible consequences for infractions. A Violence Prevention and Control Plan outlines the rules of conduct in three major categories: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. Information is also provided on sexual…

This guidebook shows how schools can form partnerships with law-enforcement agencies and communities to develop a comprehensive safe-school plan. The planning guide is based on four principles: that safe schools are caring schools, are built through cooperative efforts of all stakeholders, communicate high standards, and stress prevention. This…

This report reviews current state policy and practices in the disciplining of students with disabilities, as they are expressed in state documents including statutes, regulations, and other types of written records. Federal law, regulations, and case law are summarized in the report's introduction and background. Findings are presented in terms of…

Two essays present opposing viewpoints on school uniforms. One suggests that uniforms make safer schools and better students. The other states that teenagers will rebel, and the uniform debate is a diversion from more pressing problems in education. The article includes brief opinion statements from teachers and other professionals. (SM)

Zero-tolerance policies should not be used solely to rid the school of troubled students needing special counseling and mentoring. Administrators should involve teachers, parents, community leaders, and student representatives in formulating such policies. School-safety considerations and student rights must be balanced. (MLH)

This paper analyzes data on anti-corporal punishment advocacy and the data's use in judicial, legislative, and public areas. The paper defines corporal punishment and discusses seminal court cases, personal effects of corporal punishment, developmental factors, demographic factors, litigation, use of tort remedies, and the concept of Educator…

This digest presents a brief review of recent Fourth Amendment decisions that affect the rights of students and the parameters of schools' authority to maintain a crime-free environment. Although Federal decisions apply nationwide and do mark the boundaries of permissible state and local action, state and local laws and regulations must always be…

Zero-tolerance policies have had no appreciable effect on reducing violence, have had an adverse effect on African American students, and are receiving mixed reactions in the courts. Effective solutions are seen as improving overall school climate to guide school operations related to student discipline. (Contains 13 references.) (MLF)