The Teacher Learning Center at Arizona State University attempts to assist teacher candidates with significant physical, personal, or pedagogical problems. The Professional Attributes and Instructional Development Scales, classroom teacher and supervisor recommendations, and student self-referrals are used to identity those in need of counseling…

Critics have long claimed that kids are getting dumber. Only in recent decades have schools been blamed for students' perceived ineptitude and our nation's declining competitiveness. Education indicators sagged around 1965 for a decade, then climbed to new highs. The schools shouldered the blame for the late 1980s recession, but got no credit for…

A focus-group study recently surveyed 111 parents concerning the type, frequency, and reason for their involvement in their children's education and major barriers and facilitators to such involvement. To improve parent participation, educators must clarify how and why parents can be involved, build on parent involvement at school programs, create…

E-mail has created friction between school districts' proprietary needs and employees' privacy rights. This article examines e-mail law (constitutional, statutory, and common) and issues (employer monitoring, discover problems, admissibility, and attorney-client privilege) and provides policy guidelines. The 1996 Communications Decency Act,…

Students' social and emotional development is vital in today's education, especially in light of changing family structures. This paper examines implications of recent cultural changes which have resulted in positive and negative changes in students' social and emotional needs, then describes and presents approaches to social and emotional…

Discusses the potential of Great Britain's Race Relations Act 2000 to promote equality in education, noting how schools can make the best use of the act to improve their policies and practice (e.g., eliminate unlawful racial discrimination, promote equal opportunities, promote good relations between diverse persons, and assess and monitor the…

Because of dramatically worsening social conditions, the elementary school must assume new roles and responsibilities. To help children and their families deal with complex social realities, the Elementary School Center in New York City proposes that schools become the locus of advocacy for all children. Two sidebars provide statistics concerning…

In an extraordinary ruling, Kentucky's Supreme Court justices have declared that state schools are to be held accountable for the success of all students. Schools must meet a threshold level of improvement, including an increase in the proportion of students performing at the benchmark level, maintaining desired attendance levels, and remaining in…

At an appropriate distance, the President's stated intention to create drug-free schools by 2000 appears impeccable. Although youthful drug abuse has declined, the lower usage levels are still destructively high. A systemic approach to preventing drug abuse must occur in schools, in the work place, on the highways, in public places, and in…

Discusses developmental characteristics and needs of kindergarten children; environments that meet these children's needs; and the roles of kindergartens, public schools, and society in meeting the needs of kindergarten children. (Author/BB)

The introduction to the special issue looks at the implications for school policy and special education of increasing suicide, abuse, and violence. Nine school responsibilities and three levels of prevention (primary, secondary, and tertiary) are identified. (DB)

The National Association of Attorneys' Model Solicitation Act, which covers college and university fund-raising and has been used for state legislation, is discussed. Its origins and basic concepts, impact on institutions, and reasons for eliminating college and university exemption are examined. (MSE)

Legal theories of recovery advanced on behalf of campus crime victims against colleges and universities fall into five categories of claimed duty: (1) to be forthcoming about risks; (2) to warn about risks; (3) to provide adequate protection; (4) to screen student applicants; and (5) to control student conduct. Jurisprudence confirming first three…

All too often, school administrators are not prepared to handle unexpected foster children enrollments. Because of communication breakdowns, important information is not passed along, and children can be left in educational limbo. A well-stated policy and a simple information checklist could rectify this situation. Includes 18 references. (MLH)

An epidemiological update on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome as it relates to the school-age population emphasizes modes of transmission and recommends ways for handling infected students. (JD)