This study examined and evaluated protocols and training activities for responding to the disruptive behavior of students with psychological problems at institutions in the Massachusetts State College System during the 1997–1998 and 1998–1999 academic years. A review and analysis of the literature and case law provided a basis for evaluating response protocols and training activities. Interviews with policy makers provided a framework for studying the processes used to develop, implement, and evaluate response protocols and training activities. Research questions focused on the number and types of incidents related to the disruptive behavior of students with psychological problems, the types and effectiveness of protocols and training activities, and whether or not the elements of federal law, state statutes, and relevant case law were incorporated in protocols and training activities. This study revealed that the Massachusetts State College System utilized protocols and training activities to respond to the disruptive behavior of students with psychological problems. The types and breadth of protocols and training activities varied by campus and included emergency medical care, hospitalizations, students' return to the residence halls, mandated evaluations, withdrawals, and the use of the student discipline system. This study further revealed that the state colleges reported that the elements of federal and state laws, as well as court opinions, were included in response protocols and training activities. This study found that training activities were offered in varying degrees at the state colleges that participated in the study. Significant training was offered to student resident assistants, but faculty and staff did not participate in training programs to the same extent as students. This study found that communication among individuals involved in developing, approving, implementing, and evaluating protocols was key to successful interventions. From the study, the researcher recommended three topics for further study. They included a study of best practice collaborations between hospitals and colleges, a study of the emerging pattern of high school violence and school responses and training activities, and a study of legal issues surrounding the disruptive behavior of students with psychological problems.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UMASS/oai:scholarworks.umass.edu:dissertations-1971 |
| Date | 01 January 2001 |
| Creators | Coyne, Ann E |
| Publisher | ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst |
| Source Sets | University of Massachusetts, Amherst |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Source | Doctoral Dissertations Available from Proquest |
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