Last May, the full 11th Circuit Court upheld a school board policy in Duval County, Fla., that permits graduating senior to select a student volunteer to deliver an uncensored "message" during graduation ceremonies. Argues the title, historical context, and content of the policy clearly suggest that school officials sought a way to…

The United States Supreme Court's decision in "Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier" affirms that school officials have authority over school-sponsored publications. How supervision of student expression is exercised will teach young people a powerful lesson in freedom of the press--or oppression. (MLF)

The 4th Circuit's decision in "Hartman v Loudoun County Board of Education," involving the placement of an 11-year-old autistic child, teaches important lessons about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: mainstreaming is a strong preference, not an unyielding requirement; and if educators make active and careful efforts to…

Last year, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit ruled in "Davis" that a student can sue for damages if school officials know a student is being sexually harassed but fail to intervene. (MLF)

Fragmented federal court decisions about graduation prayer and the strong public interest in this issue call for the Supreme Court to step in to clarify the law. Summarizes court decisions on this topic. (MLF)

The resolution of free speech issues in the public school context has, until recently, involved a precarious balancing between the First Amendment rights of students and teachers and the role of public schools in inculcating students with fundamental values. This year, in "Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier," the Supreme Court struck…

The United States Supreme Court ruling in "Mergens" gives school districts the following options: (1) require all student groups to have a direct relationship to curriculum; (2) have a "limited public forum," therefore, allowing noncurriculum-related groups to use school facilities; or (3) choose to ignore the law and forego…

In a case concerning a teenager charged with cross burning, the Supreme Court, in a 9-0 decision, ruled that a St. Paul, Minnesota, ordinance was unconstitutional. Summarizes Justice Scalia's opinion and three concurring opinions that reflect bitter disagreement among the justices. Discusses the meaning of this decision and its implications for…

Addresses allegations that public schools are unconstitutionally promoting secular humanism. Presents perspectives defining secular humanism and explores whether secular humanism is considered a religion under the establishment clause. Deals with charges by conservative parent groups. (164 references) (MLF)

More than 500 school districts currently operate under court-ordered desegregation mandates. Provides an overview of desegregation litigation and cites recent developments that may portend the end of judicial oversight for a number of school districts. (48 references) (MLF)

In 1969 the Supreme Court, in "Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District," established the right of students to freedom of expression in school unless the exercise of that right would materially and substantially interfere with the requirements of appropriate discipline or collide with the rights of others in the school.…

By law and example, school boards must govern within scope of Bill of Rights. Cites West Virginia State Board of Education v Barnette, in which Supreme Court in 1943 upheld two Jehovah's Witness children's right to refuse to participate in daily flag salute ceremony. Urges schools to teach students principles of democracy and also of individual…

Outlines the facts of the Supreme Court 5-4 decision in "Lee" that graduation prayers violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Summarizes opinions of Justices Kennedy, Scalia, Souter, and Blackmun. Discusses some of the legal, educational, and policy implications of the conflicting opinions. (33 footnotes) (MLF)

Examines message T-Shirts as a medium for student expression and the ability of public schools to regulate those messages. Predicts that as violence and insolence increase in schools, courts will probably continue to defer to school authorities and let them handle their own problems. (77 footnotes). (MLF)

The current trend in equal-protection law is to reject the use of race-based, numerical formulas. However, in "Wessmann," a chief federal district judge in Massachusetts allowed race-based set-asides in the admission policy at Boston's three examination high schools. This decision, which is on appeal, has implications for school…