As violence in school increases, administrators need to assess school security and take steps to make it effective. School employers must have an understanding of student discipline policies for any security system to work. A security assessment should examine such issues as policies and procedure, school sites, school security staff, and…

Presents Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines that summarize school-based strategies most likely to be effective in preventing tobacco use among youth. The guidelines recommend that all schools develop and enforce a policy, provide instruction on tobacco use consequences, provide prevention education, train teachers, involve families,…

A "boilerplate" sexual harassment policy embedded in the district policy manual is insufficient. Schools need a comprehensive sexual harassment prevention program addressing authority, accountability, responsibility, and training. Since the vast majority of sexual harassment in schools is student-to-student, training efforts should not be limited…

Two decades of affirmative action have not substantially altered the percentage of women and minorities in higher education faculty and professional ranks. Although continued attention to affirmative action is important, institutions should not let their guidelines channel and truncate the screening process so as to overlook stronger candidates.…

A model for date rape prevention on college campuses is presented. Based on current literature, the model offers systematic prevention strategies at the institutional level and includes a date rape assessment guide and an outline of a sample date rape prevention program to assist institutions in program development. (MSE)

The article recommends that colleges and universities have a clear and detailed endowment policy that will meet donors' demands for accountability. The disclosure document needs to address investment policy and use of gifts and be communicated to trustees and staff. A collaborative relationship between fund-raising and financial operations is…

Administrators can provide education, guidance, support services that encourage noncustodial parents to remain involved with their children academically and socially. Except when limited by legal documents, school policies must be designed to treat all parents equally, regardless of marital status. Children of divorce need to know that both…

This article discusses strategies for preventing aggression and violence in children and youth, including understanding and applying appropriate interventions for escalating levels of aggression and violence, classroom preventative and planning measures, and systemwide policies and procedures. A student crisis plan sheet is provided as a tool for…

Examines proposals to establish national test/testing system as administrative, policy mechanism to foster good teaching and learning, monitor student progress, help in college admission and employment decisions, and monitor progress toward national goals. Notes that history of testing as administrative mechanism suggests that linking of important…

The top internal issues identified by leaders in higher education management as most likely to influence colleges' financial and competitive positions in the near future include tuition policy and financing, capital renewal and replacement, research funding, planning and budgeting, and cost and productivity. (Author/MSE)

A survey investigated dental school student and faculty attitudes toward poor attendance. Teaching faculty (N=174) and all four student classes (N=482) were surveyed, with upper-level students asked about patient care. Findings indicate substantial differences in faculty and student opinion, particularly in perceptions of lecture attendance.…

The education and legal literatures disclose significant disincentives for compliance with mandatory child abuse reporting laws. Although evidence indicates that school personnel understand their legal obligations and recognize signals of child abuse, they consistently underreport abuse occurring in home settings and are seldom held accountable.…

Discusses ways schools can handle bomb threats and suspicious devices and describes risk reduction steps in preparation for these events. Suggests security risk reduction can be accomplished through proper use of policies and procedures, conducting staff training, establishing security agreements, and creating crisis preparedness guidelines. (GR)

Creating a safe, secure learning environment has long been a high priority for high-school principals. Today's principals battle numerous federal and state laws, mandated zero-tolerance policies, and police involvement that remove them as key decision-makers. Security measures must be comprehensive, cooperative, and consistent. (MLH)

High-school hazing--intimidation, humiliation, or punishment of younger recruits by veteran athletes and others--is becoming increasingly violent. Schools should react immediately and aggressively to reported incidents, develop a specific policy, educate their coaches, provide adult locker-room supervision, survey their alumni, and be observant.…