The Education Commission of the States' annual meeting was characterized by divergent opinions on almost any issue, but there appeared to be less consensus and more impatience on issues relating to higher education than on those concerning public schools. (MSE)

Compared affective responses of physically aggressive (PA), verbally aggressive (VA), withdrawing (WI), and nondistressed/nonaggressive (ND) couples during problem-oriented discussions. PA husbands exhibited more overtly negative behaviors, reported a more negative emotional state, and showed greater physiological arousal. PA wives demonstrated…

Offers suggestions for school boards to follow to help keep divisiveness from hampering the board's effectiveness. These include reorganizing the board structure, using ad hoc committees to avoid board conflict, and having an impartial chairman with good leadership abilities. (MD)

The need for and importance of effective leadership in nursing education mandates that individual and institutional efforts be committed to reducing role ambiguity, conflict, and overload in the position of assistant dean, whose role is subject to multiple demands and involved with multiple administrative subsystems. (Author/MSE)

The Department of Education and National Association of Secondary School Principals have compiled differing criteria for middle school excellence as a result of conflicting ideas of the purpose of education, but resolution may be found through consideration of all demands by parents, educators, and the Department of Education. (DCS)

This simulation helps students in grades four to eight see their planet as one environment with limited resources shared by all. Students learn that the earth is a large system comprised of small systems, that systems are interdependent and often have irreplaceable parts, and that resources are not equally divided among countries. (RM)

The relationship between home and school was described as a competitive one which frequently discourages cooperation between parents and teachers. The case of a highly escalated family-school conflict was evaluated. The family systems concepts and strategies that were used to promote a working alliance between family and school were presented.…

Reviews the research literature on children's experience of the restructuring of the family following divorce. The effects of divorce are organized according to differences observed as a function of the child's age and gender, parental conflict, post-divorce family stability, and parent-child relationships. Conflict reducing custody arrangements…

A fundamental aid in maintaining equilibrium is establishing a policy of providing the opportunity for the study of controversial issues, rather than teaching the issues per se. Other tips for managing controversy include anticipating controversy and criticism and establishing procedures for processing issues. (MJL)

This article focuses on types of conflict that can arise among college faculty members or between a faculty member and an administrator. Administrators may deal with these conflicts through: (1) avoidance or denial; (2) use of power; (3) rational approaches; or (4) use of a third party. (PP)

Joliet Junior College's board found it had a campus-wide communications problem that was helped by a campus-wide committee. Its specific purpose is to communicate about problems that are of concern to all of the campus population, including board, faculty, administration, staff, and students. (LBH)

Parents are a vital source of support for our schools. School personnel interact with parents on a daily basis and fortunately, most of these interactions are pleasant and helpful, keeping students' needs in mind. Instances of parental aggression, however, do occur. Volatile or confrontational parents present many unique challenges for educators…

This study explored how children are socialized through discipline in the preschool classroom. Using detailed descriptions of teacher-student interactions and an interpretive method, the study mapped the process of the children's socialization and the role of discipline. The case study in one 4-year-olds' room examined early socialization…

To help special education planning teams reach agreements, several State Education Agencies (SEAs) provide the option of facilitated Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings. The use of externally facilitated IEP meetings is growing nationally. When relationships between parents and schools are strained, facilitated meetings may be…

This guide provides parents, educators, and other adults with tools and strategies to engage in constructive discussions and activities about the causes and effects of prejudice and bias-motivated behavior and to intervene when needed with children who engage in such behavior. Though it targets elementary school, much of the material is relevant…