Safety and Health

Past and current coverage documents mental and physical health trends and concerns facing students and the educators that teach them.

Conn. Schools Shift Strategy on Swine Flu, Staying Open More

Despite a handful of school closings last month when a second wave of swine flu hit the state, superintendents overall now seem to be showing more restraint when deciding whether to close. November 20, 2009, MCT

Sex Education Looms in Health-Care Overhaul

Advocates on both sides are watching to see whether Congress will come down on paying for "abstinence-only" or "comprehensive" programs. November 20, 2009

U.N. Says More Children in School and Fewer Dying

November 19, 2009, AP

Police Hold Off on Ruling in Michael Scott's Death

Scott owned the gun found under his body and tests showed he had gun residue on his left hand from firing a weapon, firming up what police believe was a suicide. November 19, 2009, MCT

Michael Scott's Use of Board Credit Card Probed

In recent weeks, the Chicago school board president was facing scrutiny for using his board credit card to pay for a trip to Copenhagen to lobby for the city's Olympics bid. November 19, 2009, MCT

News Briefs

Principal Held Hostage

Upset by the treatment of U.S. military personnel, a 42-year-old father of an Army veteran sneaked a disassembled shotgun into Stissing Mountain Middle School in Pine Plains, N.Y., Nov. 10. November 17, 2009

Health Officials Set Swine-Flu Toll On U.S. Children at 540 Deaths

Government health officials say swine flu has sickened about 22 million Americans since April, and about 4,000 have died, including 540 children. November 17, 2009

Comprehensive Sex Ed. Programs Effective, Panel Finds

A panel of experts has concluded that comprehensive sex education programs help reduce teenagers' risky sexual behavior. November 13, 2009

Data Systems Lack Privacy Safeguards

As states go about building longitudinal-data systems, some have not taken adequate actions to safeguard sensitive information in student records, a new study concludes. November 3, 2009

Parents of Pupils With Disabilities Sue Tenn. District Over Restraints

The parents of five students with disabilities have filed lawsuits against the Sumner County, Tenn., board of education and a special education teacher charged with child abuse. November 3, 2009

Delaware Lawmaker Advocating Change to Zero-Tolerance Rules

The head of a Delaware state task force on school discipline says zero-tolerance policies leave no room for rational thinking. November 3, 2009

More News Briefs

Anti-Violence Program Targets Chicago Boys

Two community groups will offer counseling and sports while University of Chicago researchers study whether this approach helps curb violence. November 19, 2009

Chicago Copes After Scott Death

City Hall and the Chicago Public Schools community were reeling from the news Monday as officials offered condolences to the family. November 18, 2009, MCT

Prospect of Health-Plan Tax Draws Union Opposition

Labor leaders and analysts warn that costs would be passed on to workers in the form of higher premiums—or curtailed benefits. November 17, 2009

Judge Tells Chicago to Let Students Transfer

November 16, 2009, AP

Some Miss. Schools Balk at Giving Swine-Flu Shots

November 16, 2009, AP

CDC's Swine Flu Toll: 4,000 Dead

November 13, 2009, AP

Ore. School for Troubled Teens Files for Closure

November 12, 2009, AP

Commentary

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