The Supreme Court issued an unclear decision in "Wygant v. Jackson Board of Education." The case generated five opinions that do not agree on a single set of legal principles to give needed guidance to public officials. Includes discussion of two other cases relating to affirmative action and hiring practices. (MD)

In "Crockett v. Sorenson" a voluntary public school Bible class was found unconstitutional because of sectarian control of the program, and guidelines for a constitutional Bible course were suggested. "May v. Cooperman" ruled against the constitutionality of the moment of silence, a question not yet addressed by the Supreme…

The Connick vs. Myers Supreme Court decision regarding public employees' right to express themselves has been applied to public schools in two recent federal court cases. The rulings suggest school boards may discipline school employees for disputes over internal office matters but must tolerate their dissent over public matters. (DCS)

Two recent court decisions--one from the state of Washington and the other from Indiana--demonstrate that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act's strong presumption in favor of mainstreaming disabled children has its sensible limits. (MLF)

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)

Argues that graduation prayer is unconstitutional because it violates the Establishment Clause, but the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment entitles a valedictorian giving a commencement speech to discuss religion and even to express religious beliefs as the student's own, private beliefs. Summarizes court decisions. (MLF)

The First Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court's ruling in a Massachusetts case involving an AIDS awareness program. Disagrees with ruling that the defendants had not violated the plaintiffs' federal rights and contends that parents should have the right to remove their children from a one-time performance that is not part of a…

A decision upholding the constitutionality of Florida's competency exam is reviewed and school boards advised of measures for ensuring fairness and legality in competency testing: a curriculum that teaches the skills tested, adequate remedial instruction, and several chances to take the test. (MJL)

The Federal District Court ruled in favor of the Chapel Hill, North Carolina, school board's requirement that, as a condition for graduation, each student must perform 50 hours of unpaid community service. (MLF)

In "Westbrook," a federal court recently struck down a school board policy in Wyoming that limited and channeled criticism among employees. Summarizes the judge's reasoning and concludes that the board failed to seek a balance between its legitimate interests and the basic right of school employees to speak out about matters of public…

In "Virgil v. School Board of Columbia County," a federal district court upheld a school board's decision to remove a textbook from the curriculum. The ruling is in line with the Supreme Courts'"Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier" decision that gave school boards sweeping power over the curriculum. (MLF)

Discusses the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' rewriting of its earlier decision in "Horton v. Goose Creek Independent School District" of Baytown (Texas), involving the use of dogs in school drug and liquor searches. Compares the decision with other circuits' conflicting rulings and suggests guidelines for using dogs. (RW)

In "Boring v Buncombe County Board of Education," a high school teacher sued a school board over her transfer to a middle school. At issue is a board's power to control the curriculum and a teacher's right to academic freedom, specifically selecting a controversial play for four students in advanced acting class. (MLF)

The Supreme Court ruled that school officials could not make a unilateral decision to keep a special education student out of school for more than 10 days. However, it gives officials an opportunity to reach lawful agreements with the student's parents or with a court to change the child's placement. (MLF)

The United States Supreme Court's decision in "Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier" gives school officials sweeping power over school-sponsored publications and other curricular and extracurricular activities. To avoid charges of squelching student expression, school boards should make sure that policies limit censorship to legitimate…