This study developed an equity-minded and trauma-informed model for improving community college student success rates. Since up to 94% of community college students have experienced trauma, it was imperative to establish a comprehensive approach to overcoming the resulting non-academic barriers and low completion rates. Since there is no existing…

After 25 years, because of a change in state law California returned the responsibility for providing mental health related services to students receiving special education from county mental health departments to local education agencies. The study is secondary analysis of survey data that focuses on understanding how the change affected the…

The goal of this study is to understand how students experiencing homelessness experience community college. In particular, the authors focus on the multifaceted traumas that negatively impact their educational engagement and persistence. The authors conducted a life history with one student experiencing homelessness on a community college campus.…

This publication summarizes research from AspenWSI's Courses to Employment project, which studied how six community college-nonprofit partnerships work together to help low-income adults succeed in the classroom and the labor market. The report provides an overview of the approach and strategies these partnerships use, how these partnerships are…

Some researchers believe that collaboration between schools and community stakeholders--including families, educators, community organizations, and businesses--is the key to improving public education. However, broad and inclusive community-school partnerships are rare. Instead, we frequently hear about friction between communities and their…

Today, scholars, social commentators, and practitioners alike tend to credit the bureaucratization of school discipline to court decisions from the 1960s and 1970s granting students certain civil rights in school. They argue that as the legal recognition of students' rights grew, educators lost the authority to act "in loco parentis,"…

Eight guidelines for a target school in a Right to Read unit are listed on this page. Among them are commitment by staff to participate in the program planning procedure; communication with the school staff, the community, the curriculum coordinators, and the board of education; implementation of changes in the reading program which have come from…

Previous "School Law" columns discussed developments under Title IX (Educational Amendments of 1970), noting a trend among federal courts to apply Title IX's prohibition against sexual harassment to peer and employee-to-student sexual harassment. A recent Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision against the Santa Rosa City School District…

Senior class high jinks can be amusing until someone gets hurt and the school district is sued. That's what happened when three seniors concocted an explosive smoke bomb that unintentionally injured several girls holding a yearbook party nearby. Since the prank was considered a misdemeanor, the district was liable for $12,500 and suffered lots of…

This article reviews a suit brought by a high school graduate against a public school district alleging negligence and misrepresentation in academic instruction. The complaint alleged that the plaintiff was unable to read or write above fifth grade level because of the school's failure to educate him. The case was dismissed. (Author/GC)

According to studies that have been conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles, the political engagement of young people has diminished by about 50% since 1966. Studies have also revealed an increase in nonpolitical voluntarism among students who appear to see such activities as a desirable alternative to political involvement. The…

Addressing educators and citing the California Penal Code, this booklet discusses the legal responsibilities of persons in child care situations regarding incidents of suspected child abuse. Included are: (1) a definition of child abuse and neglect; (2) reporting procedures including liability of failure to report and immunity of the reporting…

Designed to provide a historical perspective on consumerism in higher education, this literature review considers consumer laws, student rights and responsibilities, institutional practices, and major issues related to consumerism and its impact on students and colleges. After an overview of the purposes, scope, and limitations of the paper, the…

In "Hosemann v. Oakland Unified School District," a California Superior Court ruled that Oakland public schools have an affirmative duty to alleviate crime and violence on school campuses. Both students and staff members are now protected against violent acts on school grounds. Guidelines are offered for school boards and administrators…

Liability in cases involving students injured off school property generally hinges on whether districts fail to exercise due care in supervising students while on school premises. Typical activities that may occasion liability for negligence and possible defenses are listed. (MJL)