School districts should develop a risk management program with policies and procedures that demonstrate reasonable care and that include regular inspection of all buildings and grounds. Highlights areas of potential legal difficulty. (MLF)

Presents arguments for and against the use of bibliotherapy in secondary education, and suggests strategies for appropriate use. For example, in a group setting, bibliotherapy can be applied in a non-confrontational, preventive manner by counselors, media specialists and teachers; however, when it is used as prescriptive measure, extreme caution…

Recent studies in South Australia and Western Australia have shown that approximately one-third of all students fail to graduate, with the largest dropout occurring by the end of the first year of higher education. Research on student retention is discussed and steps to improve retention are suggested. (MLW)

Discusses the origins of biological risks and their potential consequences for prepregnancy, prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal periods. Presents epidemiological data. Addresses issues of assessment of infant development and interventions provided for infants whose development is at risk. Highlights goals for prevention. A nationally derived data…

Reviews research on the changing patterns of childbearing among adolescents and the impact of premature parenthood on the life course of young mothers and their children. The evidence supports the need for more integration among services and the importance of increasing the availability of services to those in need. (Author/BJV)

Issues involved in preventing child sexual abuse and findings on the nature of sexual abuse prevention programs for children are presented. Empirical research on the effectiveness of these programs is examined, and the significance of unintended consequences of the programs is addressed. Program development and implementation are considered. (SLD)

A study investigated the effects of an intensive group counseling workshop on 155 low-achieving high school students (in grades 10 through 12) considered to be at high risk of dropping out. Results indicate that the intervention was unsuccessful due to intra-group bonding that led to alienation from school activities. (TJH)

An Educational Risk Management Plan (ERMP) should be incorporated throughout every school district. Discusses property and liability insurance classifications and features of a good ERMP. (12 references) (MLF)

A substantial minority of United States' children are exposed to criminal violence. The breakdown of the family structure is believed to be the root of this social problem. Offered are solutions to the current upsurge of child crime. (SI)

At Rough Rock Demonstration School in Arizona, a bilingual, bicultural curriculum helps Navajo students discover the power and validity of their own lives as tools for learning. (Author/TE)

The National Head Injury Foundation was established to address financial and personal issues involved with brain injury. The Foundation's action agenda emphasizes prevention, public awareness, public policy, public attitudes, social-political action, professional growth, information/referral, guidance on research needs, and a forum for diverse…

This study assessed the effectiveness of posting signs for reducing graffiti in three men's restrooms on a college campus. Immediately following the intervention, no marks were made, and results were maintained at three-month follow-up. A possible explanation for the results is that the signs specified an altruistic contingency. (Author/DB)

This study investigated the usefulness of a telephone-based intervention in circumventing participant biases in school-based tobacco use prevention programs. Researchers attempted to conduct telephone interventions with ninth graders and found it difficult to reach a large portion of targeted individuals. Results provided data on which adolescents…

Use of technology in education can help reduce the high drop-out rate among minority students. Interactive classrooms, distance education, electronic mail, and online services such as CompuServe offer substantial educational benefits while allowing students to be judged on the basis of their ideas, rather than their race. Includes examples from…

Research shows that poor student-teacher relations adversely affect students' self-concept. Teachers at a Florida high school created positive advisor/advisee relationships for a group of high-risk students with grade-point averages of 1.5 or below. After 21 weeks, these students had better attendance and grade-point averages than control-group…