Young adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the problems of sexual harassment. Legal guidelines and norms of practice have changed substantially in recent years. School mental health practitioners are in an excellent position to help young people learn appropriate behaviors and resolve hurtful feelings. Advocating for these students can make…

Discusses how managed health care is becoming the preferred way of doing the business of human services, particularly as it relates to children's services. Author argues that social workers need to prepare for this new environment by becoming proficient in outcomes measurement. Provides suggestions for learning about outcomes management. (GCP)

Examines the views of urban youth on violence and attitudes about schools and education with data obtained through a survey and focus groups. Results between groups on items measuring views about violence were statistically significant. Proposes that school social workers can help youths work with school and community leaders to effect needed…

Describes how conflict mediation can be an effective component of an overall violence-prevention strategy. Study focuses on the application of a mediation model using a showcase event and videoconferencing technology. The authors discuss how school social workers can play a vital role in building "peaceable" schools and communities. (Author/GCP)

Presents five strategies to help school social workers form groups during school hours. Advantages and disadvantages of each strategy are discussed, as well as how the formation of the group influences the nature of the group work. (Author/GCP)

Reports survey data from students and faculty at a high school where there is a program for pregnant and parenting teenagers. Most faculty see the program and its social work interventions as preventing school dropout among young parents. Students, too, are supportive of the program. (Author/GCP)

Reviews issues related to school social workers' skepticism toward mentoring and the current mentoring movement. Discusses theoretical cornerstones of mentoring programs as well as principles of effective programs. Argues that school social workers are ideal candidates for developing, implementing, and evaluating those programs. (Author/GCP)

Despite efforts to get school social work practitioners and researchers to do research on school practices, most of the literature is framed as if school social workers are getting a failing grade concerning their performance at generating good outcome studies. However, school social workers are not that far behind other practice-based…

Adopting full inclusion as the implementation strategy for educating children under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) will eliminate the discretion granted parents and guardians under the act. Discusses the intent of IDEA, its legal interpretations, and implications for school social workers. (Author/MKA)

Describes two creative drama programs designed to improve peer-relations skills of early adolescents in classrooms. Discusses the utility of creative drama programs in relation to improved peer relations, staff training, and practical program evaluation. School social workers might find that this approach can be an effective modality for…

Describes a school social-work intervention that enhanced parents' ability to promote their children's educational success. The intervention was designed to promote family involvement in home learning by facilitating the exchange of information between home and school and providing families with educational resources. The intervention demonstrated…

The project described in this article investigates student explanations of truancy and dropout, and associated demographic and academic variables among Cambodian students (N=23) at a comprehensive high school. Results suggest that students at high risk of truancy can be identified before they start high school on the basis of their behavior in…

Discusses the rise of the multigenerational family and how if effects the role of school social workers. States that when working with these families, counselors can see how all social service, mental health, medical, and educational needs of children and families are intricately linked. Encourages practitioners to view the role of grandparents as…

Describes a study of high school students who participated in a cognitive-behavioral violence prevention program. The basic premise was that changing behavior involves learning new behaviors, and thought processes mediate behaviors. Results indicated a significant improvement in students' sense of safety in the school environment, attitudes toward…

Describes the experience of establishing collaborative school-based research with a school of social work, a school of education, and an inner-city middle school. A clinical intervention curriculum protocol to address specific adolescent developmental issues and problem behaviors was tested among a group of adolescent girls. Findings suggest that…