This article describes a model in special education personnel preparation designed to respond to needs in rural areas for fully licensed Director of Special Education and Pupil Services administrators. The program utilizes a fully online course format and also requires participants to complete a supervised practicum in their school districts.…

In 2004, Kuss Middle School became the first school declared "Chronically Underperforming" by the state of Massachusetts. But by 2010, Kuss had transformed itself into a model for schools around the country seeking a comprehensive turnaround strategy. Kuss is using increased learning time as the primary catalyst to accelerate learning,…

This article describes the application of the Research and Development in Organisations (RADIO) model to five action research projects carried out in schools around transition processes. The RADIO model is mapped onto all five studies, and adapting the model in order to include greater stakeholder participation is suggested. Reflections are made…

Positive behavior support (PBS) is being implemented in more than 5,300 schools in the United States. In this article, the authors review the conceptual components, implementation features, and evidence base of PBS; discuss its implementation at the preschool level; and explore implications for school social work practice. Whether starting PBS…

School counselors acknowledge the need for supervision but rarely receive it. This article describes the counselor performance improvement system in one school district. Supervision is embedded in a process that assesses counselors' levels of professionalism on a matrix of competence and commitment. Administrative and clinical supervisors…

Describes efforts to help teenagers stop smoking. Discusses the use of a curriculum titled Tobacco Free Teens in a stop-smoking group offered to students. The curriculum, an eight-session program with meetings of 50 minutes each, assists participants demonstrate increased knowledge of the benefits of quitting smoking. (RJM)

Stresses the importance of character-building activities for children and how school counselors can promote such activities. Describes a comprehensive character education program in one school in which different mediums are used to emphasize a certain character trait each month. Discusses elements of the program and program effectiveness. (RJM)

Describes the implementation of Student Assistance Program (SAP) support groups in one middle school and one elementary school. The Health Education department administers the program and licensed school counselors serve in local schools as program counselors. Discusses support group offerings, the procedures used in SAP support groups, and…

Describes the development of a curriculum for students in K-5 that teaches character development and involves all members of the school faculty. Uses animal associations to reinforce the importance of certain character traits, outlines lesson planning, and discusses program development, character traits, program evaluation, and the need for…

Describes the development and use of guidance portfolios at one elementary school. Lists goals and objectives, portfolio content, and evaluation strategies. Concludes that portfolios are an important component of the school's guidance program and can enhance student development. (RJM)

Describes a program called the Life Skills group which was started to help latchkey children who attended a rural elementary school. Besides teaching the students practical skills, such as answering the door, organizers developed a newsletter and created a specific curriculum for parents to better meet the needs of their children. (RJM)

Describes a schoolwide student management program (SSMP) which uses a team approach that is both preventive and remedial. The SSMP's central goal is to either ward off disruptive behavior or change such behavior. Outlines the program and presents SSMP's proactive component and response component. Discusses remediation and individual plans. (RJM)

Describes Special Friends, a comprehensive school counseling program (CSCP), with special attention given to the specific elements of a CSCP. Provides background information for Special Friends, implementation procedures, the selection of students who would benefit, the selection of volunteers, training, beginning and maintaining the program, and…

Discusses the underutilization of Teacher-Advisor Programs (TAP), and their importance in promoting middle-school students' educational, personal, and social development. Looks at TAP's role in middle school education, the rationale for middle school counselor involvement in TAP, potential counselor roles in TAP, and some unanswered questions.…

The authors describe the special education management system (SEMS), a microcomputer system for management of special education and pupil personnel data. The use of SEMS for four types of information and management needs is outlined, and some of its various components are mentioned. (SW)