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)

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…

While the courts have said that public schools may not permit extracurricular religious groups to meet at school, Congress's Equal Access Act says that under certain conditions they must. The Supreme Court will review the issue. A copy of the Equal Access Act is provided. (DCS)

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…

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…

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)

A federal case from Wooster, Ohio, illustrates the tension facing school boards and administrators when they deal with student expression. Explains the judge's reasoning about the issues involving First Amendment rights of student editors and the policies and relevant free-speech principles. (MLF)

Examines a U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the Bethel, Washington, school district in disciplining a student for giving a sexually provocative speech. Cautions against a possible trend toward renewed school emphasis on dress codes and other issues of decorum. (IW)

These guidelines, addressing the extent to which religious expression and activity are permitted in public schools, were originally issued in 1995. Changes have been made in the sections on religious excusals and student garb to reflect the Supreme Court decision in "Boerne v. Flores" declaring the Religious Freedom Restoration Act…