Recent Supreme Court decisions and reports from student advocacy groups clash with the realities of the classroom and put administrators in a quandary. (Author)

Educational research is designed to generate valid and reliable information needed by decision-makers. The issue of research utilization is of utmost importance, especially as it relates to the federal government; however, much of the research has not found its way into the policymaking process. This issue precipitated a survey of 141 Mid-South…

This paper reviews the literature which examines school policies currently guiding educational practice in the area of student substance abuse and discusses the relationship between special education and substance-using and substance-abusing students. Reviewed are: (1) definitions of substance abuse, which vary with the conceptualization of the…

Corporal punishment, the act of disciplining students by inflicting physical pain (usually paddling the child's backside), has recently come under fire due to the public's growing concern over child abuse. Opponents of corporal punishment assert that there is little hard evidence showing that physical punishment promotes character development or…

This presentation explores international trends and needed changes in the education of persons with severe intellectual disabilities. One goal is to have all children attend school, no matter how severe their disabilities. Though low percentages of disabled children from developing countries attend school, some positive trends are identified, such…

The 3-year study examined the broad array of practices colleges and universities employ to define their character and determine future courses of action. Administrators at 256 institutions were surveyed regarding planning orientations and perspectives. Additionally, site visits were made to 16 campuses, where about 15 individuals were interviewed…

Survey questionnaires concerning the response of rural schools to the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic were sent to administrators of 400 randomly selected rural school districts in the United States. Of the 100 respondents, 80% provided some form of HIV/AIDS education. These programs varied greatly in goals, placement, length,…

An analysis of the process by which the results of research and evaluation studies are utilized in the formation of educational policy is the purpose of this paper. Based on a case study of a large urban public school's implementation of a dress code policy, four interrelated factors are identified that affect policy formation and data…

Designed for foreign students attending DeKalb Community College (DCC), this handbook contains information about the college, its International Student Services Office, and United States Government regulations. The sections of the handbook are devoted to: (1) the functions of the International Student Services Office; (2) procedures for transfer…

This fourth and final guide in a series of volumes addresses parents who desire assistance in selecting the appropriate school for their child. The guide provides narratives and "real life" descriptions of actual occurrences in schools that advertise themselves as emphasizing a particular style or philosophy of teaching or curricular…

In the last decade, Stamford has been transformed from a suburban town to an urban center of national renown. A responsive yet directive public school system is critical in preserving a feeling of community. The Stamford Educational Planning Committee, a team of interdisciplinary professionals and a broad-based community group, examined trends in…

This paper begins by reviewing evidence nationally, provincially, and locally that many students drop out of secondary school; that failure rates in core subjects in grades 9 and 10 in Ontario are high; and that ninth graders in Ontario reported being concerned about their school progress, their level of preparation and readiness for high school,…

This report presents the findings and recommendations of a follow-up to a 1981 survey of school discipline policies in 144 public school systems in North Carolina. Much progress since 1982 is reported, but the districts need to review and revise their policies and practices. The six central sections of the report focus on these topics: student…

An evaluation was made of the Effective Schools Program (ESP) conducted by the Mid-Continent Regional Educational Laboratory (McREL) for the 1984-85 academic year. The ESP is a research-based program designed to foster self-sustained improvement efforts at the school building level, through systematic long term staff development including…

A national survey of two-year colleges with residence hall programs was conducted to determine the size and scope of the programs; the availability of specialized housing; programs and services available within the housing system; the existence of policies on room assignments, fire and safety, damage and vandalism, security, discipline, room…