The growing chasm between society's complex problems and what the systems can do to help is driving reform in all sectors. Just as schools alone cannot compensate for the disadvantage created by troubled homes and communities, welfare and social agencies cannot hold out a hopeful future to clients lacking employment abilities. Comprehensive…

Since the late 1990s, lawmakers, college officials, consumer advocacy groups, and higher education practitioners have become increasingly concerned about the rising use of credit cards among college students. Some recent studies have provided information about credit card use among college students. These studies include: (1) a study conducted by…

The first of 11 annotated publications on schools' growing social responsibilities examines ways for schools to help with students' changing family situations (mainly through divorce) and increase educators' sensitivity to the stigma attached to nontraditional families. The second takes issue with those using the schools "as a catchall for problem…

Some of the issues surrounding school productivity are discussed in this ERIC digest. It presents the results of early research that explored whether there is a relationship between educational funding and student outcomes. Some of the reasons behind schools' productivity problems are presented, including problems with unstable governance and the…

Despite privacy concerns, school administrators are feeling pressure to adopt urgent measures to keep drugs and alcohol from further endangering our youth's well-being and undermining staff performance. This urgency is reinforced by a national anti-drug campaign and Congressional passage of the Drug-Free Workplace Act (1988) and the Drug-Free…

The use and abuse of alcohol on college campuses is reviewed briefly and administrative responses are described. Campus initiatives include policy formation and enforcement, treatment programs, and prevention activities. Issues related to institutional liability are outlined, and important factors that bear on policy formation are detailed, such…

Students who are the target of bullying episodes commonly suffer serious, long-term academic, physical, and emotional consequences. Unfortunately, school personnel often minimize, underestimate, tolerate, or ignore the extent of bullying and the harm it can cause. This digest examines the problem of bullying and some of its effects, and discusses…

This ERIC digest reports the background effects, and implications of Plyler v. Doe, a 1982 U.S. Supreme Court ruling guaranteeing the right of undocumented immigrant children to attend public school. The document is divided into five parts. "Background of the Plyler Case" describes the Plyler v. Doe ruling and the Texas law that the…

This fact sheet notes the incidence of attention deficit disorder (ADD), factors involved in the disorder, and diagnostic methods. It discusses school responsibilities in providing appropriate educational services to students with ADD, emphasizing that the responsibility for meeting the educational needs of children with ADD rests with the entire…

Due to the number of children who are left unsupervised after school, schools are becoming involved in day care. A school may allow a day care center to function on its premises, form a partnership with another organization to run a day care center jointly, or run a day care program by itself. Although principals, teachers, or parents may…

Afterschool programs are increasingly viewed as one viable way of bridging the gap between the end of the school day and the time parents get home from work. This digest briefly discusses why afterschool programs are needed, what potential benefits may be, what challenges may affect the viability of programs, what factors are identified with…

This brief paper summarizes a full length report of the same title which examines the ongoing debate on the conflicting rights and responsibilities of students and college administrations in the areas of offensive speech, rights of assembly, drug testing and campus safety. On offensive speech and the rights of colleges and universities to regulate…

This digest describes the Invitational Learning model developed by William W. Purkey, an approach that emphasizes mutual respect and human potential in every aspect of schooling. It presents a brief overview of the invitational learning concept and discusses the theoretical foundations of the model. It describes characteristics of an inviting…

After defining numerous terms related to physical and mental child abuse and neglect and presenting information on the prevalence and causes of abuse, this document explains areas of immediate concern for schools: (1) identification; (2) communicating with the student about possible abuse; (3) reporting suspected abuse; (4) assisting the abused…

Among the behavior management challenges in schools today is the question of how to deal with substance abuse among youth. Facts about student alcohol and drug use are provided in this handbook. Watching for school and home related behavioral indicators of drug use is an immediate concern for schools. Drug use follows a six-stage continuum: no…