This Critical Issue Bibliography (CRIB) Sheet focuses on campus crime and institutional liability. The resources it lists highlight some of the information available to campus administrators and policymakers for developing a better understanding of how to address crime and related issues. The resources are divided into these categories: (1) crime…

Asserting that prevention and intervention efforts to reduce bullying can serve to reduce later criminal behavior and save lives, this report identifies programs that have reduced bullying by as much as half and cut future arrests in half, and urges schools to invest in these programs. Chapter 1 of the report defines bullying and presents…

This guide presents practical steps to improve the school environment and to minimize the legal liability of educators. It provides strategies and techniques for discipline and safety, documentation, dealing with harassment, gang activities, physical violence, off-campus problems affecting school environment, issues concerning special education…

This study examined the outcomes of student conflict mediation at two urban middle schools in California. Data collection involved observations, interviews, and instrumentation with the Mediation Rating Profile (C. Carter, 1998), and a writing prompt. Several mediation agreements contained avoidance resolutions, such as "stay away from each…

This paper presents a relevant literary review and then develops a behavior-management program within schools encompassing social-skills training for all children. Both the literary review and this program can be used to educate administrators, educators, parents, and students about behaviors and warning signs associated with violent children. The…

This report presents detailed results from a survey and critical review of existing published literature and reports on indoor air quality (IAQ), ventilation, and IAQ- and building-related health problems in schools, particularly California schools. The findings: (1) identify the most commonly reported building-related health symtoms involving…

Asserting that school buildings under renovation and even newly built schools may have polluted indoor environments that cause health problems and hinder learning, this guide introduces special education and anti-discrimination laws designed to remove barriers to education for children with disabilities such as chronic health impairments. The…

This paper reports on the National Study of Delinquency Prevention in Schools, the first national study of problem behavior containing information from multiple sources -- principals, teachers, and students. Nationwide, 7% of schools or an estimated 6,451 schools reported to law enforcement personnel at least one incident of physical attack or…

A Congressional hearing was held to discuss the readiness of the District of Columbia public schools for the 1998-99 school year. In the 1997-98 school year, the District's public schools had not been able to open on time because of repair work that was not completed. After opening remarks by Congress members Thomas M. Davis and Constance Morella,…

Rapid development of new technologies has outpaced the development of related law, leaving educators in doubt about the management of copyright, privacy, liability, and security. A key provision of facilitating a healthy and safe environment for technology use is the school district's "Acceptable Use Policy" (AUP), which states that use…

Fire safety in schools, long recognized as a serious problem by both public officials and lay citizens, is concerned with preventing personal injury or death and property damage or destruction. The responsibility for this prevention is lodged in many hands, but school officials having jurisdiction in the matter are usually charged with developing…

Four basic alternatives are suggested from which the administrator can choose to increase school district security: (1) a cooperative agreement with local police; (2) use of school staff in internal security assignments; (3) contracting of security services from independent companies; and (4) soliciting help of parents and students to harden…

This article discusses how to teach children about fire prevention and what to do if a fire breaks out. Steps that schools should take to prepare for fire emergencies are outlined, as are fire prevention measures for the home. (PP)

Results of on-site inspections of 11 New York colleges, laboratories and storage facilities are summarized according to: (1) chemical storage and disposal; (2) safety equipment; (3) ventilation; (4) general housekeeping; and (5) safety education. (Author/SK)

Lists the American Association of School Administrators' criteria for judging whether school building renovation is a sound investment. Eight categories should be investigated: historical information, architectural characteristics, material integrity, regulatory codes, and structural, mechanical, electrical, and educational adequacy. (Author/JM)