Several exclusionary discipline practices used with handicapped learners are described. A survey of 253 principals identified the variability of disciplinary practices, as a function of geographic region, community size, principal's sex and years of experience, grade level, differential rules for handicapped and nonhandicapped students, and types…

A survey of 53 pharmacy schools investigated immunization requirements and policies, both on admission and before students begin clerkships. Results are reported, highlighting schools' hepatitis B immunization policies. Results indicate that most schools lack an immunization requirement for this disease. (Author/MSE)

A new model of service provision for college students with disabilities is proposed. The model focuses on the campus as an environment where all can be empowered to assist students in meeting their own disability-related needs. Suggestions for making the transition to such an environment are offered. (MSE)

A survey of 264 students with disabilities at 14 Canadian universities found most students rated their institutions' policies concerning disabilities as adequate for their own needs but only poor to good in general. Students at small universities were only slightly more satisfied than students at larger institutions. Many were unaware of relevant…

Describes the rationale for the School Health Policies and Programs Study developed and implemented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the health status of youth. The study measured policies and programs at state, district, school, and classroom levels across multiple components of school health programs. (SM)

This paper outlines key issues in developing whole school policies on special educational needs of English students, including educational quality; school accountability; school capability to provide for pupils with special needs; policy audit, implementation, and review; and the role of the special education needs coordinator in monitoring…

Speech codes and assessment mandates diminish academic freedom and instructional quality in higher education. Classroom speech and activities should be under individual faculty control; scholarly failure is the only basis for questioning classroom conduct; society's legal institutions should address legal issues; and informal norms should be…

A federal district court has ruled that Brown University (RI) discriminates against its women's athletics programs, in violation of federal law. The university's stance on the law, which questions government interpretation, has been controversial. The suit was brought by nine female athletes seeking reinstatement of gymnastics and volleyball…

Colleges and universities must address the use of alcohol and other drugs on campus with a comprehensive, institutionwide program of prevention. It is also important to balance the institution's educational mission and policy enforcement responsibilities. Success requires considerable commitment of campus leadership, adequate funding, and trained…

A survey of 15 optometry schools investigated degree of compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, concerning accommodation of students with disabilities, particularly in regard to students with learning disabilities. Results indicate institutional policy is made at a different level than that at which it is implemented.…

A California superior court struck down a Stanford University antiharassment policy, saying that it restricted students' free-speech rights. The policy had banned face-to-face insults that stigmatize students on the basis of such things as race, sex, or religion. California law requires private colleges to grant students the same constitutional…

This study surveyed 46 college deans at 7 universities in Saudi Arabia to determine who evaluated the work of department chairpersons and what criteria are and should be used for such evaluations. The deans identified and rank-ordered 4 sources and 17 criteria for department chairperson evaluations. (MDM)

A discussion of national trends and practices in college student financial aid and pricing focuses on the debate over whether student aid should be used to promote diversity and equity or enhance an institution's market position. It is suggested that intensifying competition for affluent students with strong academic credentials raises difficult…

Examines the effect of school gender organization on gender differences in teachers' perceptions of organizational control. Results from 629 mathematics and English teachers reveal that in coeducational schools and boys' schools, male teachers perceived greater influence over school policies outside of the classroom than did female teachers.…

In June 1995, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Vernonia (Oregon) School District's right to conduct random drug tests of its student athletes. The court balanced a seventh grader's privacy interest with the state's interest in curbing drug abuse among student athletes. Before adopting drug-testing policies, school boards should assess the local…