Children appear at schoolhouse doors with many challenges that interfere with their ability to learn All too often, multiple psychological impediments to learning are concentrated in restricted segments of the population, thereby magnifying the risk experienced by the most vulnerable children. This article describes a community school initiative…

Creating community schools requires changes in collaborating organizations. The authors describe how a major project has been initiated and sustained from the perspectives of key leaders/participants. They discuss four different perspectives or frames for identifying organizational change. (Contains 13 references.) (Author)

This paper highlights the scientific rationale and research base for Life Space Crisis Intervention, a psychoeducational model used with aggressive children. The model draws from a broad theory base to meet the diverse needs of troubled children. The method necessitates forming an alliance with youth and sees problems as opportunities for teaching…

Professional educator shares insights through a collection of notes, verses, and poems about his teaching experiences. He challenges educators today to reflect on their relationships with students and consider how to connect with youth in ways that can positively influence their lives. (JDM)

Programs serving troubled youth continuously struggle with the issue of using physical restraints and other coercive interventions. This paper revisits the issues and motivations surrounding restraint use. It offers an analytic perspective on the physical restraint cycle and the factors that tend to support its recurrence. (JDM)

Twelve adolescent novels with the theme of obesity were selected for critical analysis. The novels were assessed for readability and to determine the approach to overweight portrayed by writers. The books were also examined in light of the concept of lookism prejudice. Recommendations were offered to teachers and counselors for use of these books…

Schools in Alberta, Canada are trying to create environments that promote respect and responsibility in students and staff while providing an opportunity for students to meet required academic standards. The background of the Safe and Caring Schools Initiative is discussed. This program, which tries to reduce disruptive behavior and improve…

Discusses the Safe and Caring Schools Project, a Canadian program that encourages school practices that model and reinforce socially responsible and respectful behaviors so that learning and teaching can take place in a safe and caring environment. This holistic program stresses the importance of the role parents, teachers, and the community play…

Changing school cultures is a complex process. This article describes collaboration between students and teachers in developing a resource manual to improve student conduct and reduce violence in schools. The development of the manual and its final contents are described. (MKA)

Discipline strategies must incorporate the learning and behavior of each child with the desired outcomes if they are to correct maladaptive behaviors. Suspension should be based on the student's best educational interests; conducted in a manner that teaches the student more appropriate behaviors; supported by empirical research; and used as a last…

The literature suggests that adolescent peer group programs have produced positive academic and rehabilitative environments as well as environments that help reduce aggressive behaviors in group-living situations. This article suggests elements to facilitate a peer group approach to cognitive problem-solving development in school and group living…

Teachers and administrators must ensure that youth with gender identity disorder receive the same psychological and physical protection offered to other students. This article uses a case study to provide information regarding assessment of, and intervention with, youngsters who have gender identity disorder. (MKA)

Collaborating with school officials, a group of concerned parents implemented a bully-proofing program throughout their school district. After two years, the results are encouraging; it was received with enthusiasm at the elementary level. Further study will be needed to determine how these principles might be applied at the secondary level. (MKA)

The Life Space Crisis Intervention has developed a comprehensive school-wide strategy for building positive learning climates for all students and providing effective interventions for students presenting challenging problems. This model contains three levels of prevention and intervention: all staff are trained, teachers receive more in-depth…

Many schools and educational programs are successfully responding to the problem of student violence. This article explores a variety of techniques that include school or program-wide initiatives, partnerships, or collaborations with outside agencies; partnerships with families; and classroom curricula that help youth learn to resolve conflicts…