Discusses the political controversy over affirmative action discrimination. Broadly outlines three cases in which the Supreme Court has addressed the issue. Analyzes three lower court decisions affirming the validity of affirmative action. Examines research on race and gender role models. (MD)

The author points out the wealth of material available to Social Studies teachers this year in particular, due to the information generated by the 1980 census. (KC)

Traces the history of laws and litigation concerning pay equity issues, also referred to as wage equity and comparable worth. Suggests that universities and colleges identify possible problems and take voluntary corrective measures before pay-equity problems arise. (MLF)

Asks questions related to the issue of freedom of speech, and uses that as a teaching strategy to examine the issues of citizenship rights and responsibilities. Provides 12 federal court cases as precedents and allows the students to be the judge by exploring the facts, the legal issues, and the constitutional principles. (NL)

Discusses the major federal laws relevant to education of the handicapped and how they apply in a given discipline situation. Summarizes issues that past court decisions have clarified such as suspensions, change of placement, and termination of educational services pursuant to a long-term suspension or expulsion. Mentions important emerging…

Using a simulation of the constitutional procedures on appointment of U.S. Supreme Court justices, illustrates how the separation of powers established by the Constitution affects all three branches of government. Provides an outline of the simulation procedure, a lesson plan, and a brief bibliography. (LS)

The paper discusses the impact of two legal cases. In "Board versus Rowley," the Supreme Court established a three-part standard for appropriate education of students with disabilities. In "Centennial versus Commonwealth," the Pennsylvania Supreme Court held that gifted students merit an Individualized Education Program and…

Although religious beliefs of college students opposing abortion may be sincere, they must yield to the institution's need to decide what programs will serve the entire student body's needs. When the Supreme Court rules on a challenge to allocation of mandatory student fees, it will apply principles of religious freedom. (MSE)

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…

A student athlete died after the first day of football practice in Texas. His parents brought suit (Roventini v. Pasadena Independent School District) for monetary damages in federal district court contending that the defendants violated the student's rights. Presents the judge's analysis of the legal issues. Advises board members and…

School attorneys are primarily concerned with such issues as search and seizure, chain of custody, civil rights liability, and tort liability. Members of the National Organization on Legal Problems of Education (NOLPE) working within school districts can help reduce crime in the schools. NOLPE members could contribute to the clarity of thought and…

The 1977 Supreme Court decision in "Milliken v. Bradley," involving the Detroit public schools and the state of Michigan, held that federal courts possess the authority not only to order the implementation of educational program components as part of a desegregation remedy, but also to assess a portion of the cost of such components…

Although the Supreme Court has answered the important questions concerning the constitutional requirements for searches of students by school officials in the public schools, many issues remain unresolved. School officials are advised to proceed with caution, particularly with regard to strip searches, mass searches, and dogs to sniff students…

Outlines the confusion surrounding a Supreme Court decision in the "New Jersey vs. TLO" case, which put at issue the prohibition against unreasonable searches in schools. The Court's decision allows a lower standard of reasonableness to be applied in school searches. The standards are not clear and are open to serious question. (MD)