American youth face an acute crisis of belonging, marked by increasing alienation, anxiety, and absenteeism among students, that jeopardizes their educational experiences, mental health, and future success. Educators, policymakers, and community leaders are called upon to develop a strategic and comprehensive response. This brief contains…

This article focuses upon recent initiatives aimed at improving the management of disaffected students in Wales. Historically, schools in Wales over the last hundred years have consistently had to manage larger numbers of disaffected students, especially truants and school absentees, than in other parts of the United Kingdom. In her annual report…

Belonging matters to adolescents. PSI Associates, a private consortium of psychologists, educators, and prevention specialists, has developed several prevention/intervention programs, including Positive Peer Groups, which has disengaged teens working alongside successful students on high-profile service projects. PSI's Teens Resisting Violence…

Describes one school's attempts to answer the question of why a young person commits suicide, and provides sound advice in dealing with the survivors of such an ordeal, be it students, teachers, or parents. Explores commonly asked questions to promote understanding, correct misinformation, identify risk factors, and provide guidelines for…

The goal of the Peer Helping Program in the Bayonne (New Jersey) Public Schools is to develop in students a high degree of self-respect, respect for each other, and respect for their school environment. (Author)

Describes a guidance program that functions within a classroom format. It is designed to help alienated students expose their innermost feelings and thoughts and to develop the most rigorous requirements for personal responsibility and individual accountability. (Author/IRT)

The first stage for school improvement is to find constructive ways to better serve students who are not realizing their full capabilities. Potentially marginal students pass through various levels (testing limits, coasting, retreating and rebelling), and deliberate and constructive intervention can be implemented at each level. (GC)

Describes how categories from the curriculum can play a central role in the interactional construction of students' identities. Follows one adolescent who came to enact the identity of disruptive outcast in the classroom. Argues this development was facilitated by discussion of a curricular theme. (CAJ)

A teacher's experience of being a student in high school for a semester is recounted. The wide differences between teachers' and students' perceptions of responsibility for learning and teaching are pointed out as well as differences in attitude toward school and the world in general. Some suggestions are made for improving teaching and rapport…

Asserts that prevention of social deviation is a major goal of contemporary Russian education. Discusses preventive pedagogy and whether it can be transformed into a systematic effort to reduce antisocial behavior. Concludes that preventive pedagogy must be linked with criminology, sociology, and other behavioral sciences if it is to succeed. (CFR)

Interviews 10 students classified as exhibiting a low sense of attachment to their school. The in-depth interviews of urban high school students revealed that the students perceived a low level of support and encouragement from school personnel and their peers. Discusses the classification process and other factors affecting school attachment.…

Although criticized by many, the Boston Public (BP) television show raises important issues about the realities of high school life. At a time when educational policy makers see a need to improve student test scores, this show suggests that other issues are more important in the lives of modern high school students, teachers, and administrators.…

Asserts that school violence is a major educational problem and reflects the increased violence in society. Examines responses by administrators and boards of education to school violence. Categorizes school policies regarding violence into deterrence, prevention, and treatment and discusses their effectiveness. (CFR)

Difficulties of Puerto Rican children in adjusting to school in the U.S. mainland can be attributed to their family background and early schooling experience. Unlike the isolated, independent nuclear family unit usually found on the mainland, Puerto Rican families are extended and prize cooperation, socialization, respect for the male patriarch,…

Details various ways music teachers can provide children with the emotional resources to rescue and heal themselves. Primary among these is the establishment of trust. Recommends modeling stability, consistency, benevolence, flexibility, and a healthy perspective. Discusses the challenges and problems of being a surrogate parent. (MJP)