Compares inner-city and outer-city teachers in the same system according to curriculum omissions and additions, deviation from prescribed curriculum time allotments, and extent of curriculum coverage. (DR)

The high school attendance policy instituted in 1977-78 in Malden (Massachusetts) mandated a failing grade of E for the seventh unexcused absence per quarter in each subject. (Author/JM)

Looks at challenges to safe schools and offers eight suggestions for ensuring the safety of students and educators. Notes that school violence includes unacceptable social behavior ranging from aggression that threatens or harms others to bullying, threats, sexual harassment, gang violence, extortion, and other forms of intimidation. (SG)

Raises issues of unethical student behavior in cooperative education, with examples of theft, abuse of workplace e-mail, fraudulent timesheets, and wrongful unemployment claims. Discusses new opportunities for unethical behavior created by technology and ways educators can respond. (SK)

Describes how, at some colleges, clemency policies are discounting old failures when calculating students' grade point averages. (EV)

Recent events in the Milwaukee (Wisconsin) public schools show how purchasing practices can get out of hand--especially in the high-stakes educational technology market. Before a temporary freeze on purchasing, teachers and principals were under siege by vendors bypassing the district's central purchasing program. A new policy governing…

Examined reactions of faculty members to students' cheating on examinations at university that has policy for defining, punishing, and processing instances of academic dishonesty. Results indicated that faculty members tended to ignore academic dishonesty policy and preferred to handle situations on one-on-one basis. Found faculty did not…

Describes rationale and model for changing assessment efforts in schools from simple description to integration of information from multiple sources for purpose of designing interventions. Sees analyzing instructional environments for individual students as prerequisite for effective consultation and intervention planning. Suggests school…

Research findings indicate that ability grouping does not help remedial students. Cites research studies in mathematics achievement that consistently imply that ability grouping in mathematics harms low-ability and average students. Urges schools to cease grouping students by their supposed abilities. (MLF)

Since the 1990s, truancy has become administrators' most persistent problem. This article examines student absenteeism trends, characteristics of nonattenders, and current attendance policies. While schools can encourage attendance, final responsibility rests with students and parents. Includes four references. (MLH)

Teachers assign homework because it teaches students self-discipline, is believed to increase academic achievement, fulfills people's expectations, and expands the curriculum. Problems with homework include completion difficulties, uncoordinated assignments, interference with important out-of-school activities, fostering of undesirable student…

Since its 1980 sexual harassment guidelines went into effect, a vocational technical high school in Lexington, Massachusetts, has actively educated its staff and 700 students about sexual harassment. The program involves a discipline policy included in the school's "Handbook for Parents," a first-year seminar, staff inservice training,…