In this article, we tackle the disadvantaging conditions of zero tolerance policies in school settings and advocate using an alternative approach--critical restorative justice through peacemaking circles--to nurture resilience and open opportunity at the school level. In the process, this article builds on theory and qualitative research and…

In its 2002 report on college drinking, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism describes U.S. college campuses as supporting a culture of drinking. Staying clean and sober in an environment where drinking and, to a lesser extent, other drug use is an accepted behavior presents real challenges to students who are in recovery from…

Middle and high school students subjected to harsh school discipline policies and practices such as suspensions and expulsions are more likely to disengage from the classroom and course work, and increases their chances of dropping out, according to this new report from the Alliance for Excellent Education. The report recommends implementing…

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in the United States for persons aged 60 and older. Compared to individuals without disabilities, individuals with low vision demonstrate a 15% to 30% higher dependence on others to perform activities of daily living. In addition, low vision can adversely affect a person's quality of life.…

The Jordy electronic magnification device is one of a small number of electronic headborne devices designed to provide people with low vision the capability to perform near-range, intermediate-range, and distance viewing tasks. This report seeks to define the benefits of using the Jordy as a low vision device by people who are legally blind. The…

The author discusses changes that the Texas Division for Blind Services made in its vocational rehabilitation program to increase competitive employment opportunities for vocational rehabilitation consumers who are blind and visually impaired. P. R. Warren, B. S. Cavenaugh, and M. J. Giesen (2004) reported that, nationwide, a higher proportion of…

An all-out effort by the Texas Education Agency and Department of Corrections to bring opportunities for academic education and vocational training to 16,000 inmates of the state prison system. (Editor)

Provides an overview of a comprehensive, prison-based treatment assessment, including a six-month follow-up study. Results show that 80% of the inmates referred to the program graduated. Graduates demonstrated marked reductions in criminal and drug-use activity and had lower relapse and recidivism rates when compared to other parolees. (RJM)

Discusses the Specialized Treatment and Rehabilitation (STAR) project for juvenile offenders in Montgomery County, Texas, noting the project's unique variation on the boot camp model while meeting the educational needs of the student without removal from the home or school campus. Details program goals, parental responsibilities, induction, daily…

In attempting to determine the cost of probation and the cost of incarceration of adult felons in Texas, it was discovered that there were no comparative figures available. A search of the literature was conducted to determine the proper standards for probation caseload management and to identify problems associated with previous cost studies. In…

This 1998-2000 State Plan for the Texas Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities presents the Council's future goals and objectives to enable people with developmental disabilities to be fully included in their communities and exercise control over their own lives. Section 1 provides information on the Developmental Disabilities and Bill of…

This Legislative Appropriation Request (LAR) requests a total of $46,325,825 for the Texas Commission for the Blind for Fiscal Year 2000 and $46,934,426 for Fiscal Year 2001. Funds are designed to meet three major goals: (1) assist Texans who are blind or visually impaired in achieving independent living goals by providing a program of developing…

This document is intended to aid those in Texas doing joint planning of vocational and technical education programs with programs conducted under the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), the Adult Education Act, Chapter I of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act, the Education of the Handicapped Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and…

This handbook, consisting of a program development model that is based on three programs for ex-offenders that were implemented in Texas in fiscal year 1983, is designed to assist adult educators in implementing adult education programs for persons on parole or probation. Discussed first are the purpose of the handbook, the individual sites of the…