A school audit is described, based on the PeaceBuilders program, which helps to create a more peaceful school environment. A research-driven violence prevention program, PeaceBuilders has identified characteristics that help in creating this environment, such as common language, positive stories and behavior posters, daily rewards, group rewards,…

Surveys of 2,125 seventh-graders in eight urban Southwestern schools and interviews with 60 of them examined the role of family and school in Latino/a preadolescent substance use. Most respondents did not use hard drugs or alcohol. Strong ties to parents and school were protective factors. Recommendations for social work interventions that support…

A study involving 185 high school students with learning disabilities explored their views of high school. While participants enjoyed the opportunity to socialize with peers, they found specific classes boring or too difficult. Participants were much more likely to report advantages to staying in school than disadvantages. Recommendations are…

A qualitative study explored experiences of two adolescent high school students who are gifted but underachieving. Results indicate the students were stuck on an academic merry-go-round, whirling by the same content over and over without any input. Internally driven to learn, they became frustrated and unchallenged, waiting to do something…

Innercity students who enter a suburban school system often find themselves at a significant disadvantage, both academically and socially, and seek acceptance by flaunting gang symbols. Identifies 10 strategies for addressing the problems of gang influence in suburban schools, including involving transfer students and providing career counseling.…

National Mathematics Survey briefly explains multilevel models, examining their power and flexibility as analytical tools. Provides examples of two applied models studying school and pupil variables: (1) data analysis from a National Mathematics Survey (England, Wales, Northern Ireland); and (2) data analysis of pupil attitudes using Hierarchical…

Kinetic school drawings were used to represent ideal as well as actual school experiences of 60 gifted elementary students. The drawings provided nonverbal documentation of students' perceptions of their current school experiences and indicated changes students would prefer in their schooling. (Author/SW)

Examines the extent to which institutions of higher education are perceived as insuring students' rights and freedoms outlined in the Joint Statement on Rights and Freedoms of Students. Findings affirmed that current institutional policies and procedures largely support the Joint Statement. Most backed well-defined public policy or law. (RJM)

Examines the advice being given to today's college graduating classes in commencement speeches and compares it to that given in early premodern society. It shows how the old advice centered on basic skills and virtues that empowered youth to create an independent and worthy life, but today, youth are mostly getting adults' guilty conscience and…

A question-and-answer style column offering academic advising in a campus newspaper is described, sample questions and responses are presented, and recommendations are offered on aspects of editing, layout, writing, and communication with the publication staff. The approach makes advising information attractive and easily available to the campus…

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)

Focuses on relationships between high school graduates' personal characteristics and the nature of the postsecondary institutions they attend. Suggests that within the matching process is a sorting mechanism that reinforces nonmeritocratic tendencies. Analyzes national data for the high school class of 1980. Finds, that socioeconomic background…

Examines the effects of the recent subdisciplinary research emphasis in physical education scholarship on whole-person issues. Social problems suggest a need for whole-person research in physical education, but research results are rarely put into practice. Another approach to scholarship is necessary to augment current research. (SM)

Examines ways in which a parent can measure and help to create a school environment that projects a positive climate in which a child can learn and grow. Suggestions are offered for setting up a school climate committee and for operating such a committee. (GLR)

Traces New Zealand's introduction to school mediation, reviewing underlying goals of nonpunitive dispute resolution in the United States and highlighting significant initiatives. The establishment of the Hagley School Mediation Service is described and compared with Hawaii's Dispute Management in the Schools Project. Recommendations for school…