Discusses the legal ramifications of informed consent for medical treatment of schoolchildren, including the problems posed by parents unwilling to give adequate medical protection to their children because of religious or other reasons. Covers the types of medical care that minors can receive without parental consent. (WD)

The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that public schools may be sued for failing to confront students who harass their classmates. This article explains the ruling, defines three levels of peer harassment, and outlines guidelines for school officials. Swift investigations and legally defensible policies and procedures are essential. (MLH)

A principal parodies concern over school liabilities in a satirical plan that removes all risks that might potentially cause problems. In this plan there is little room left for education. (MD)

Changes in the composition of the American family and shifts in family members' roles and responsibilities are weakening the family support system essential for children's healthy development. Financial issues (income and poverty levels and working mothers) have a similar effect. To cope with changing families' needs, good teacher-administrator…

Describes what principals can do to protect children from food-related illness in school: Forming of food-safe school teams, developing food-safety procedures, including food safety in crises-management plans, educating staff on plans and procedures, encouraging hand washing, making sure the cafeteria works properly, and encouraging the hiring of…

Three types of playground equipment account for 87 percent of all injuries: swing-sets, climbing apparatus, and slides. Fully 75% of playground injuries occur when children fall from equipment. Improving ground surfaces, installing guard rails, and limiting maximum equipment height are essential. Sidebars provide safety rules and a playground…

The 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act bars discrimination against handicapped people who are otherwise qualified for a position. To comply, principals should be prepared to identify each job's essential functions, prepare a written description for each job, provide reasonable accommodations, establish job-related qualification standards, and…

The principal should not have to mediate between teachers and parents. Teachers' own suggestions for more effective teacher-parent communication include making parents feel comfortable, being a good listener, being positive, being careful about phrasing negative information, having telephones available, being prepared, being sensitive to parents'…

The rule of thumb for combating violence in school is to remove its antecedents whenever possible and train staff to handle aggressive behavior. School staff should be knowledgeable; join forces with community leaders, police, and parents; implement antigang curricula; treat each student respectfully; and make the school a safe haven. Sidebars…

Based on the premise that the principal's role is crucial in the quality of a school, the author provides 10 specifications for working to improve the quality of principals. (MD)

Six administrators comment about their experiences as dual principals--situations in which one principal has responsibility for two or even more schools. All agree that the dual principalship imposes restrictions on the principal's role as a leader. (MLF)

Increasing insulation in schools as an energy-saving measure has given rise to the Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), which afflicts roughly one-third of the nation's schools. This article examines asbestos, radon, electromagnetic radiation, and chemical pollutants and describes steps to make schools environmentally safe for students. School officials…

Defying rules or specifications, charter-school administrators might be traditional school principals, teachers, parents, community members, or organization leaders. Leaders receive assistance from various sources: advocacy groups, sponsoring agencies, regional representatives, universities, and "edventurists" (educator-venture capitalists).…

Discusses the liability of principals in court cases involving claims of educational malpractice or personal injury to students. Cites major cases and suggests ways in which principals can reduce the likelihood of suits. (PGD)

Public Law 94-142 requires that school districts provide a free, appropriate, and public education to all handicapped children, aged 3 to 21, in the least restricted environment (LRE). This article explains compliance dilemmas, defines LRE, compares integration with mainstreaming, outlines integrated program characteristics, and discusses…