Why is it important that social-emotional issues and unconscious biases are addressed? All of us have biases. It doesn’t matter who you are. But self-awareness becomes critical, particularly in schools. Anybody who interacts with students has responsibilities toward their social and emotional wellness, not only their academic instruction. There’s a lot of power, not only […]

“Don’t blame boys’ bad behavior on the way we dress.” That’s the message—first delivered by a group of female high school students—that led Santa Fe Public Schools in New Mexico to adjust its dress code in spring 2018. “We had several young ladies who felt the dress code was somewhat sexist, and that it was […]

This spring, schools have experienced a profound increase in student suicides and attempts, as well as school shootings. Recognize that as bad as things have been this spring, things are likely to be worse next fall. Contention over race, origin, LGBTQ, and sexual assault/harassment will increase, along with contention over gun control in the context […]

Administrators have closed or increased monitoring of school bathrooms. They have sent students for drug tests. They have even banned USB thumb drives. These actions reflect the wide range of responses district leaders have taken to curb the alarming increase in students’ use of vaping devices and e-cigarettes. “We’re very concerned that the emergence of […]