Chronic self-injury is a psychopathology which afflicts some persons with severe mental retardation. The self-injurious acts may be carried out to avoid completion of a task, or the behavior may be intrinsically reinforcing. Professional responses have included use of restraints, psychopharmacology, placement in more restrictive settings, and…

This report explores current state laws regarding dispositional options for adjudicated delinquents; examines decision-making responsibility for placement, sentence length and discharge within state juvenile justice systems; and highlights some of the more innovative state approaches in juvenile justice dispositions and sentencing practices. Data…

The formulation of public policy affecting children requires the participation of a wide spectrum of psychological experts. This should include both investigator and practitioner, since each has something important to contribute to the discussion. The psychologist may contribute to policy analysis and debate in the role of expert or as advocate.…

Peer modeling as a non-punitive disciplinary technique was examined in two studies assessing its effectiveness in increasing self-control of young children in the absence of an authority figure. The first study investigated the effect of observing the rule-following behavior of a peer model on the observing child's subsequent self-control.…

One explanation for unexpectedly low stress levels among assistant principals may lie in "administrative attribution theory." The demand for school discipline by the public, school boards, teachers, and students should induce high levels of stress in assistant principals, because they are usually responsible for discipline enforcement,…

This document, the final report resulting from a two-year study of the use of juvenile records in adult court proceedings and the relationship between age and sanction severity, is of interest to researchers and policymakers concerned with sanction policies for youthful offenders. The introductory chapter provides an overview of the controversy…

One of six publications of the Research Advisory Committee of the National Association for Retarded Citizens, the monograph presents guidelines for using behavioral procedures with retarded individuals in residential settings, group living homes, sheltered workshops, or other settings. Addressed are the following topics (sample subtopics in…

The report presents recommendations from a November, 1978 national conference on child abuse. It is explained that groups of invited representatives from government, social service and public interest groups, the media, and the academic community discussed policies for treatment and prevention of child abuse. Summarized are recommendations on the…

The speaker examines a cross-section of the cases illustrating reasonable cause for dismissal of teachers. He considers teacher behavior both in and out of the schools in covering such topics as insubordination, cruelty, personal appearance, curriculum decisions, immoral behavior, political activity, illegal strikes, and criminal conduct. Court…

Studies have indicated that corporal punishment in the schools increases, rather than eliminates, delinquency. Some brutal measures taken by school officials (particularly principals and athletic coaches) have caused not only retaliatory vandalism by students, but also parental law suits. (WI)

Focuses on the characteristics of schools with differing internal grouping policies, particularly regarding comprehensive schools. The intent was to learn whether mainstreamed or non-mainstreamed schools tend to have significantly different intakes of children, in terms of their social background. (Author/RK)

Discusses the "Ingraham v. Wright" Supreme Court action, its meaning for students and teachers, and what the state's reaction to the case is. (RK)

In this study 480 children from two types of communities, rural and town, were interviewed concerning recent critical incidents involving praise or punishment. Data were used to evaluate sex differences, community differences, and grade level differences. (SB)

Discusses the extent and use of corporal punishment in public schools, the results of research on the effectiveness of corporal punishment as a deterrent to misbehavior, and the use and effect of alternative measures of classroom management. (BF)

Many teachers argue that corporal punishment must be retained as a "last resort". Reports on how one London comprehensive abolished the cane, and survived to tell the tale. (Editor)