This fact sheet presents teenage suicide as a reaction to stress in adolescence compounded by increasing stress in the environment. It can also be examined as part of a three-step process: a previous history of problems, problems associated with adolescence, and a precipitating event. Contrary to popular belief, suicide is not an impulsive act but…

The involvement of parents in the education of their children is briefly discussed. Discussion focuses on ways to involve parents, ways to reach parents, and difficulties in involving parents. It is asserted that the suggestions offered in this ERIC Digest can help teachers involve parents who might not otherwise be involved. While an individual…

Efforts to fight drug abuse must occur in the schools, as well as in homes and the community, since schools provide one major influence in transmitting values, standards, and information to children. This digest discusses the extent of drug abuse among youth, why drug abuse occurs, the effects of drug abuse, what schools can do to combat the…

A definition and rationale for full equity under Title IX legislation in terms of outcomes for students and benefits for school districts are given in this article. The relationship of compliance to equity is explored through an analysis of short-term and long-term costs and benefits for students and schools in both minimal and maximal equity…

This Digest discusses the role of the school, the community, and teacher preparation programs in alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) prevention among adolescents. It proposes that a comprehensive drug abuse prevention curriculum should incorporate: (1) normative education to help students realize that use of ATOD is not the norm for…

This booklet addresses the issues involved in working with children and adolescents who have disabling conditions and use alcohol and other drugs. An introductory chapter notes the need for increasing attention to alcohol and drug problems among individuals with disabling conditions. The second chapter provides evidence suggesting that the…

Pluralism can be defined as a society in which members of diverse ethnic, racial, religious, and social groups maintain participation in and development of their traditions and special interests while cooperatively working toward the interdependence needed for a nation's unity. Pluralism is being practiced, taught, and expanded in community,…

In rural areas the responsibility for good school-community relations rests with the principal, who must develop a strategy for community relations, understand the people of the community and their values, and know their formal and informal leaders. School principals can use various strategies to increase community involvement. They can simply…

In this paper, the educational progress of Korean Americans is attributed largely to the effects of conflict between biculturality and marginality. This report examines the educational needs and problems of Korean American children and youth with respect to demographic and historical characteristics of Korean Americans and their evolving…

Summarizes 10 documents and 7 journal articles from the ERIC database discussing the resilience of children. Topics covered include: ways to develop and promote resiliency in children; characteristics of resilient children; descriptions of school and community programs successful in promoting students' resilience and success; and characteristics…

This booklet discusses the preparation needed by schools and school personnel to meet the needs of limited-English-proficient (LEP) students with disabilities. An introductory chapter notes that LEP students are often at risk and explains the importance of programming based on the strengths of their native languages and cultures. The second…

This paper explores factors which may account for the translation of research into educational policy through a case study. The case study was conducted jointly by the School District and Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to determine what variables contribute to reading achievement. Students from grades one through four in…

This booklet reviews the literature and offers practical suggestions for dealing with exceptional children who are, or are suspected of being, abused and neglected. It describes what is known about child abuse in general and then as it specifically relates to children with disabilities. It examines factors associated with abuse and outlines…

This fact sheet addresses the issue of teenage pregnancy. Six factors contributing to the current attention focused on teenage pregnancy and parenthood are listed and teenage pregnancy and birth rates are discussed. Other areas covered include teenage nonuse of contraception, sex education by schools and parents, family planning services, and the…

Addressing the question, "What can be done to promote school achievement?", this paper summarizes the literature on motivation relating to classroom achievement and school effectiveness. Particular attention is given to how values, ideology, and various cultural patterns impinge on classroom performance and serve to enhance motivation to achieve.…