Two recent federal court decisions side with school authorities. In both cases the judges held the plaintiffs liable for the attorney fees of the defendants. The author comments that this may reflect a partial changing of the federal courts' attitude, yet cautions schools to remain vigilant of student rights. (MD)

A superintendent's decision to stop presentation of a high school play was upheld by the court over a challenge that the students' First Amendment right of expression had been unconstitutionally abridged. The case has implications for other cases involving student First Amendment claims. (MLF)

In 1982 in "Lubbock Civil Liberties Union v. Lubbock Independent School District," the Fifth Circuit Court ruled unconstitutional a school policy allowing meetings after school hours for moral, religious, or ethical purposes. Federal courts have struck down other similar policies. (Author/JM)

A copyright infringement suit involving duplication of material for classroom use without permission or acknowledgement and related cases are discussed with reference to the fair use privilege, the Copyright Act of 1976, and congressional guidelines. Generally, fair use has been rejected as a blanket defense in classroom copying. (MJL)

Two recent cases in which federal courts held plaintiffs liable for defendants' attorney fees illustrate the courts' impatience with students and parents lodging suits judged frivolous. The conclusion is that, while school authorities must remain sensitive to students' constitutional rights, caution is urged in taking complaints to federal court.…

An edited version of federal district court Judge William O. Bertelsman's opinion in "Bahr vs. Jenkins" reveals his thinking on the courts' self-restraint in cases affecting school administrators' authority when disciplining students. The opinion also discusses, in an informal style, the rights and responsibilities of parties in such…