The professional development and accountability of new staff are discussed, and the University of New South Wales' department-based plan for new staff development is described. The program involves planning sessions and record keeping of responsibilities, achievements, needs for professional development, and the resources provided to assist staff.…

In almost half of the Department of Education's biennial audits of colleges receiving federal financial aid, institutions are found to have made mistakes in aid distribution, and each year the department asks colleges to return $25-million in aid money. Better oversight methods are urged. (MSE)

The means by which students can discharge loan obligations through bankruptcy are reviewed, and issues and procedures for the institution-creditor to consider are presented. (MSE)

A review of court decisions indicates that colleges generally had not been held liable for injuries arising from use of alcohol in dormitories or fraternities. Sexual harassment perpetrators are becoming more sophisticated and the incidents are less blatant. (MLW)

The little attention given to ethics and ethical behavior in computer science is seen as part of a larger problem, student ignorance of the profession. (MSE)

Examines current demographic projections in terms of five major concepts (fertility, age, region, race, and immigration) and analyzes their impact on tomorrow's schools. Beset with a declining birthrate, an aging population, and increasing numbers of poor and minority students, schools' major responsibility is to create winners and new recruits to…

The U.S. Supreme Court is applying a new legal standard in court actions involving students' constitutional rights. Instead of basing decisions on the "substantial interference" argument, the Court is giving school officials broad latitude to structure an environment in which students can both learn and develop "socially appropriate…

Describes a Wisconsin middle school's step-by-step plan for dealing with student suicide. The plan calls for maintaining a normal school day and providing counseling services directed by an interview team (counselors, social workers, and teachers) trained to help people handle suicide. Tips for managing suicide's impact are provided. (MLH)

Describes two recent court cases that demonstrate the difficulty of balancing the emphasis on drug detection with the privacy rights of students. Concludes that school officials should not be quick to assume that reasonable suspicion exists. (IW)

Offers guidelines for the development and design of a parent information manual for early childhood education programs. (HOD)

Refutes criticism of public schools, pointing out that schools have assumed too many responsibilities without having resources to do the job. As a beginning, urges an examination of the current role of public schools for the purpose of reassigning to other organizations some of the tasks now assigned to them. (EL)

The international community has developed a system of human rights law relevant to many areas of legal encounter, which American law schools have been slow to incorporate into curricula. Teaching human rights law provides an opportunity for law schools to enrich the learning process and contribute creatively to the respect for rights in society.…

In conjunction with an article on prevention of child molesting, this column describes additional measures implemented by various school districts and lists four resources, both film and print, available to schools for educating staff and students about the dangers of child sexual abuse. (TE)

A former Idaho teacher, counselor, and guidance director examines the positive side of education in the United States. (Editor/RK)

According to studies that have been conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles, the political engagement of young people has diminished by about 50% since 1966. Studies have also revealed an increase in nonpolitical voluntarism among students who appear to see such activities as a desirable alternative to political involvement. The…