Truancy is an important issue facing U.S. school systems as it is known that students who are truant are more likely to participate in criminal activity later in life (Baker, Sigmon & Nugent, 2001; Henry & Thornberry, 2010). This study examines recent data from students at 21 schools within a large midwestern school district. Survival…

Discusses the needs of homeless students, especially those with disabilities, suggesting some simple strategies for school personnel to help homeless students maximize their fullest potential (e.g., locating the students and bringing them to school for enrollment, providing transportation to school, offering nutritious meals and clean clothing,…

Describes the at-risk student population, identifies their learning characteristics and psychological needs, and presents the case for creating a sense of place for them as an effective educational intervention. Based on research studies, the paper contends that the ability to meet at-risk students' needs lies within an understanding of ecological…

Introduces a collection of papers that address the High/Scope Foundation's approach to risk reduction and dropout prevention. Examines High/Scope's history and describes various High/Scope efforts (e.g., the Michigan School Readiness Program Evaluation, preschool and elementary curriculum development and training, movement and music curriculum…

Examined differences in students', parents', teachers', and administrators' perceptions of harassment in the schools and of teacher and administrator support. Results highlighted statistically significant differences among groups regarding frequency and intensity of harassment and levels of support. Gender differences were only evident among…

Discusses the importance of schools working to reduce youth violence and creating safe environments for students. Examines the causes of juvenile crime and looks at the juvenile justice system, parental responsibility, and five areas of public school responsibility (parent participation programs, school security procedures, safe school programs,…

Investigated the perceptions of school personnel regarding migrant students' educational experiences. Interviews with principals, teachers, and migrant advocates from high-migrant areas indicated that factors affecting migrant students' school performance included social prejudice, lack of communication between students and schools, mobility, lack…

Developed a predictive model for profiling potential high school dropouts during middle school. Data collected from archival sources presented a profile, which included being retained more often, being overage, receiving free/reduced lunch, being less likely to participate in high school athletics, receiving more Ds and Fs, having poorer…

Explores the need to restore social and relational aspects to education for youth at risk. Anti-youth mass media discourses present negative images of pregnant and parenting teens. Labeled at risk, they are set up for academic and social failure. Describes an alternative public school serving the educational and social support needs of pregnant…

Surveyed public school teachers regarding their perceptions of conflict in their schools, noting grade-level differences. Teachers perceived students as being pulled out of school due to student- and family-related factors. Students perceived they were pushed out of school due to school environments. Crucial elements in working with youth were…

Investigated the competencies that principals perceived they had to manage special education programs, comparing their self-perceptions with estimates of those administrators' competencies made by special education directors. Survey data indicated that principals had little formal academic training in this area and tended to consistently and…

Students from small towns completed surveys on school safety, bullying, drug use, and other school climate issues. About 56 percent reported neither bullying nor victimization. Bully/victim status varied with age and gender and significantly related to risk factors like smoking and drinking. Bullies were more likely to use drugs and tobacco,…

Presents data on the 25 occupations that have the greatest predicted numerical growth and typical education and training levels, comparing total employment for 1996 and 2006 and comparing the percent increase in total employment from 1996-2006. Occupations include food services, sales, health, education, retail, labor, computers, office, trucking,…

Compared urban at-risk children's responses on the Harter's Self-Perception Profile for Children to norms established primarily on middle class samples. Results revealed similarities and differences in how urban at-risk children assessed their competencies. The data suggest that domains of competence can differ in interpretable ways as a function…

Suggests that standards-based reform is doomed to fail unless states use their newly established, more rigorous standards to develop interventions that provide teachers with the skills and knowledge required to teach to the higher standards and students with additional opportunities to achieve the higher standards. (Author/SLD)