After her son died by suicide, Theodora Schiro vowed to raise awareness and teach others about depression and suicide. In this article, Schiro (a former teacher and principal) explains how educators can detect warning signs, devise preventative programs, and fight the stigma associated with suicide.

To fully support students, schools must attend to the trauma that occurs within their own institutional cultures. Equity advocate Paul Gorski describes three transformative commitments schools can make to maximize the potential of trauma-informed education.

Non-suicidal self-injury--the deliberate destruction of body tissue without suicidal intent--has become relatively common among U.S. adolescents: 18 percent of school-based youth report self-injuring at least once. The authors give suggestions and vetted resources for how schools can safely address the issue of self-injury, in ways that let…

In these unprecedented times, educators need to infuse equity and justice into their discipline practices. Whether operating in-person or remotely, the schools that succeed this year will be the ones that put mental health at the center of all policies and practices, says Micere Keels, director of the Trauma Responsive Educational Practices…

Surveys show rates of sexual harassment and misogyny among students are high in U.S. secondary schools--yet most schools fail to deal with this problem. Many educators would like to intervene when they hear students use degrading or sexualized language about girls (or LGBTQ youth) or harass them, but don't know how to do so effectively. The…

To be prepared for the new world of work--one that outsourcing and automation have transformed--U.S. schools need to set a higher bar. Students need high-level cognitive skills, strong technical skills, character, good communications skills, a well-developed ethical frame, and the ability to relate to a wide range of people from all over the…

Vitriol--and even violence--between U.S. citizens of different groups reaches another high mark this year. Racism is one of the strongest challenges of our time. But racism isn't insurmountable, U.S. institutions--with schools as ground zero--can lessen racism if they examine their own racist thinking and policies and, especially, encourage…

As the mother of two sons who went through adolescence and a practicing neurologist, Frances E. Jensen offers a valuable perspective on teenage behavior. Dr. Jensen explored the neurological research--including insights gained from recent advances in functional magnetic resonance imaging--and found that the adolescent brain is both more powerful…

With U.S. immigration policies tightening, many teachers find students from immigrant backgrounds are worried about families or friends facing harsh consequences--or are suffering from losing a family member to deportation. Some students and families are disengaging from school, and kids are even being bullied about their backgrounds. Kugler shows…

Schools are natural environments for helping all children cultivate the resilience that resides within them. Research shows that schools are filled with the conditions that promote resilience (Werner, 2003). These include caring, encouraging relationships, role models, and mentors (Theron & Engelbrecht, 2012; Thomsen, 2002; Walsh, 2012); clear…

Cyberbullying is a growing problem because increasing numbers of young people use computers, cell phones, and other interactive devices as their main form of social interaction. Cyberbullies use technology to harass, threaten, or humiliate their peers. Online aggression isn't just traditional bullying with new tools. It's widespread, devastating,…

The philosophic commitment to develop schools which "promote the dignity and worth of the Individual" must be a top priority goal of American education. (Author)

Attempts to integrate the findings of John Goodlad's "A Study of Schooling" described in another article in this issue with the findings of the effective schools movement. (JM)

Because our world is increasingly affected by chemical and natural pollutants, schools need to take extra precautions to ensure a healthy learning environment. (Author)

The author maintains that John Goodlad's rigid insistence (in an article in this issue) on the school's accomplishment of idealistic and lofty goals is unrealistic and unfair. These goals are merely something to work toward. (JM)