The article reviews the literature regarding the psychopathology of truant behavior, the implications of truancy, and truancy interventions, suggesting that the effectiveness of truancy intervention could be increased by implementing a multimodal approach combining student, family, and school factors. (SM)

A faculty move to a new campus can be traumatic, but colleges and universities can take steps to lessen the strain. Solutions to faculty relocation problems should be a standard part of any hiring package, not left to chance and individual negotiation. Some problems are inexpensive and easy to solve. (MSE)

Because of the importance of preventing inappropriate disciplinary measures for special education students and those with disabilities, school boards should direct administrators to set specific procedures and limits on disciplinary measures, boost staff development programs, and establish open communication with parents. (MLF)

School desegregation opens increased opportunities for conflict without proper intervention to improve understanding and tolerance among students. Although students are more likely to have cross-racial and cross-ethnic friendships, racial discord is an accepted way of life for many. Schools can help by adopting appropriate policies, multicultural…

Federal civil litigation in which a faculty inventor challenged the university's right to share in proceeds from his invention is examined. Issues of employment contracts, the university research office's responsibility for monitoring faculty research, and the role of patenting and licensing firms are considered. Implications for university policy…

Educational malpractice suits represent an attempt to apply tort law to educational outcomes to redress a student's knowledge deficiencies. Following a review of the fundamentals and the judicial treatment, an argument is set forth for recognition of educational malpractice as a cause of action; allowing such claims may help improve the public…

The physical dangers of college-sponsored travel in foreign countries will continue to be affected by world political conditions. Colleges and universities should reexamine their policies on insurance coverage; limitations on sponsored travel for faculty, students, and staff; and use of waivers or releases to reduce institutional liability in some…

Programs implementing the Regular Education Initiative (REI) are criticized for their relatively simplistic approaches to the instructional problems created by learner diversity. Such programs as "Success for All" and teacher consultation programs do not adequately consider what happens to those students and teachers who do not succeed under the…

Describes the Norwegian government's "barns oppvekskstar," a closely intertwined set of laws and value systems overseeing children's education, health, and social well-being. Although delivery of local services cannot be adequately evaluated since decentralization, the Norwegian case illustrates how parents, teachers, government…

Medically fragile children need special supervision and care. Educators' concerns center on the time it takes to perform needed services, adequate preparation, and potential liability. Offers nine guidelines that address the needs of medically fragile children while minimizing the threats of liability. A related page summarizes issues raised by…

Accomplished teachers are leaving the profession by the thousands (7% yearly). A 1997 National Center for Education Statistics survey found that dissatisfied teachers leave because of student discipline and motivation problems, inadequate administrative support, poor salary, and insufficient influence over school policies and practices. The…

School personnel must know which students have asthma, typical warning signs, and appropriate actions in an emergency. Administering appropriate medication and reducing environmental triggers are not enough. Policymaking in schools and workplaces and legislation to increase health care access and eliminate substandard housing and air pollution are…

Although Generations X and Y do not promote specific social-change goals, today's young people share a concern for building, maintaining, and serving community. Simply assigning students tasks in teacher-designed service-learning projects denies them opportunities for decision making, action planning, and leadership development. (MLH)

Discusses use of age-related criteria in hiring/continued employment practices in higher education, focusing on an exception in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act allowing employment-related decisions based on "reasonable factors other than age." The language appears to allow limited use of express age criteria where the employer's…

Because certain disabilities cause students to need additional time to complete course work, law schools typically allow enrollment in fewer credit hours, which requires additional time for program completion. Tuition adjustment is considered as a possible solution to this problem, and it is concluded law schools may have to adjust tuition…