The majority of children do come to school to learn, but it only takes a few persistent troublemakers to rob an entire class of that opportunity. Disruptions in the form of lateness, talking out of turn, and disrespecting the teacher and other students take a serious toll on the educational process. Polls have shown that parents, teachers, and the…

This article features Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), a systems-based method for improving student behavior. PBIS was developed at the University of Oregon and has been shown to work at all grade levels and be effective in districts with greater concentrations of poverty and higher percentages of "at-risk" students. It has…

Recent court decisions indicate that schools must prove disruptive conduct on the part of students before taking disciplinary action. (CK)

A school day includes addressing student discipline. Regardless of the safeguards or policies that are in place in the school and regardless of whether they are sanctioned by the school board or whether they are stated in the student handbook, students push limits. Failure to address discipline issues will weaken every aspect of the school's…

In the current climate of school improvement, no one feels more pressure than a high school principal. A principal bears responsibility not just for the organization's daily functioning but for the performance of its students in high school and beyond. However, high school students perceive principals as individuals who held the lion's share of…

Most schools have a code of conduct, pledge, or behavioral standards, set by the district or school board with the school community. In this article, the author features some schools that created a new vision of instilling code of conducts to students based on work quality, respect, safety and courtesy. She suggests that communicating the code…

Some readers will recall Newhart, Bob Newhart's television series from 1982 to 1990. In it, he played Dick Ludon, a New Yorker who moved to Vermont with his wife to run an inn. Stephanie Vanderkellen, a snotty, rich, young woman, worked there as a maid to appease her parents. Her boyfriend, Michael, was not rich but was as snobbish as she was.…

Although cell phones keep kids in touch with families and personal digital assistants (PDA's) help organize assignments and give Internet access, when they are added to the school climate, educators must reassess policies so technology does not interfere with instruction time. This article discusses the several effects of cell phones to K-6…

Presents 11 guidelines, based on constitutional requirements, to help the school administrator to develop a firm and fair student discipline code. Condensed from "A Legal Memorandum", March 1981, published by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Reston, Virginia. (Editor/SJL)

Considers legal and programmatic issues involved in having juveniles or their parents make financial restitution for delinquent acts. Makes recommendations to school officials on using restitution as part of school discipline policy. Condensed from "A Legal Memorandum," May 1981, published by the National Association of Secondary School…