The "boys will be boys" era is over. Districts must take two basic actions to establish schools that are free of sexual harassment: publish a written policy and provide training for students. This article explains California Code and Federal law requirements, the value of special curricula, and the need for maintaining confidentiality,…

Preferential/differential student aid packaging, or reducing the self-help component of an aid package for specific students, is by definition discriminatory. Such student aid packaging is very old, but in recent years there is even more discrimination within need-based aid against the economically weak. A new approach is needed to reduce…

Surveyed changes in retirement policies for tenured faculty at a large national sample of colleges and universities. Found variations in the characteristics of regular retirement programs, in the existence and nature of retirement-incentive and phased-retirement programs, in institutional policies relating to retired faculty, and in institutions'…

Describes the relationship between school behaviors and youth characteristics in school, and referrals to juvenile authorities. Describes a strategy of using teacher nominations, school discipline referrals, and community arrest data to predict delinquent and violent behavior in youth. Outlines data from a group of socially maladjusted youth to…

More sets of twins will probably show up in classrooms, since the "twinning rate" has risen from 23 per 1,000 in 1990 to 27 per thousand in 1997. School policies that separate twins from kindergarten on may not be in kids' best interest. Language and environmental factors are discussed. (MLH)

Reviews two theories of liability (the Constitutional Duty Rule and the policy, custom, or practice theory) that courts use to resolve schoolchildren's complaints about teachers' sexual misconduct. Shows how courts misapply these theories and offers an alternative approach (holding districts legally responsible for teachers' abusive behavior) that…

Aims to provide a framework of perspectives to analyze and understand the characteristics of school crisis and to propose different strategies and procedures to manage it. Classifies potential causes and consequences of school crises. Generates five perspectives for understanding school crises based on different management paradigms. (DSK)

Harassment, or bullying, is one of the most difficult disciplinary issues for administrators to manage because of differing interpretations. One school's zero-tolerance plan involves filing a harassment complaint with the assistant principal, who meets with involved parties; notifying law- enforcement officials if appropriate; and informing…

In a Sixth Circuit Court decision, Judge Harry Welford concluded that the First Amendment did not prohibit an Ohio school district from banning Marilyn Manson T-shirts under the district's constitutional authority to regulate student speech (disruptive behavior) that conflicts with its basic educational mission. (MLH)

In its "stare decisis" ruling upholding a Pennsylvania school district's random drug-testing policy, a three-judge panel of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals nonetheless declared its disagreement with a similar panel's 1998 decision upholding another district's policy of random, suspicionless drug, alcohol, and tobacco testing. (MLH)

A study of 6,947 students (ages 12-19) found a construct of "System of Law" that measured knowledge of school rules and consequences for infractions led to less disorder. A construct of "Secure Building" that included variables showing physical and personnel-based actions to run a secure building led to more disorder. (Author/CR)

Presents a strategy that can be used by public school officials to reduce the number of weapons coming into schools. Addresses creating policies to protect children from bullies, educating students about the school's weapons policy, initiating weapons-screening procedures, applying consistent sanctions, and acting on tips about students carrying…

Although zero tolerance policies are being enacted on campuses nationwide, they may not be the most effective means of creating safer and healthier environments for students. Many historical precedents illustrate the value of moderation over prohibition. College drug and alcohol policies should focus primarily on dysfunctional and disruptive…

Discusses 15 effective strategies for dropout prevention identified by the National Dropout Prevention Center, plus a specific set of six program solutions and strategies as alternatives to grade retention. Describes the center's promotion-with-purpose policy, along with exemplar programs for school leaders to use in designing alternatives to…

Following an earlier survey of the attitudes and activities of academic staff who had retired three to five years earlier, a survey was undertaken of the policies and practices of university authorities in relation to supporting the academic activities of their retired staff. The sample included 21 universities in England and Scotland, and 28…