The purpose of this study is to investigate factors that may influence school administrators' disciplinary decisions involving students with disabilities. Confirmatory factor analysis suggests that the investigator-developed measures adequately represent the hypothesized latent factors per the pattern of observed responses. The hypothesized…

This quasi-experimental study examined the adoption of the Virginia Student Threat Assessment Guidelines in 23 high schools. After training, school administrators and other staff members demonstrated substantial increases in knowledge of threat assessment principles and decreased commitment to zero tolerance approaches. Schools using the…

Describes a comprehensive behavior management system that provides a professional base for school programs and long-term teaching efforts to produce responsible citizens. Schools can help change society's discipline-punishment philosophy by establishing appropriate administrative structure and training goals stressing openness, honesty, sincerity,…

Describes a disciplinary technique based on a Student Behavior Report that involves immediate feedback for student infractions and cooperation from administrators, teachers, parents, and students. (MD)

Anomie results when goals and values have no meaning for students. The author outlines suggestions for the principal to combat this psychological pattern. (Author/DS)

An alternative educational program that is highly structured, closely supervised, and appropriately staffed is proposed for the chronic disruptive student. (Author/MLF)

Suggests a comprehensive problem-solving model that addresses discipline from a preventative perspective. Model provides guidelines for problem identification, methods of problem analysis, intervention techniques, and evaluation of discipline intervention. (JW)

In passing the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997, Congress tackled tough issues regarding educating students with disabilities. This article addresses four changes to IDEA and their implications for secondary principals, including suspension of handicapped students without educational services, development of…

If the problems of student violence and other forms of misbehavior are to be solved, educators must refocus attention on each student as an individual. (Author)

Discipline in the urban middle school is a rehabilitative process requiring accurate adult perception of the kinds of behavior problems which interfere with student achievement. (Author)

This article outlines the basic concepts in systemic therapy, including the nature of systemic behavior, the "punctuation" of behavior, the value of seeing behavior as "cooperative" rather than "resistant," and the concept of exception. Specific strategies school administrators and teachers can use when handling…

This article describes 12 major components--grouped into philosophical, organizational, and operational categories--that should be included in planning and initiating an effective school discipline system. (Author/JW)

The Massachusetts Supreme Court overturned a lower court's ruling against a speech pathology teacher whose contract was not renewed following a parent's complaint. The teacher had explained 4-letter words to 13 year-olds, bringing them up in class, then discouraged further usage. Judges decided the teacher had acted creatively in response to…

After summarizing the relevant federal laws regarding the educational rights of handicapped students, the author reviews recent cases regarding such students' suspension and expulsion. From court decisions, conclusions are then drawn about the legally allowable disciplining of handicapped students. (JW)

A questionnaire given to parents, teachers, and principals of middle-school students shows general consistency among the three groups in ranking student behavior problems--except on student use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, which is ranked high by parents but low by school authorities. (JW)