This article summarizes the applicable judicial analysis for cases in which special education personnel claim that their employing district retaliated against them for advocacy on behalf of students with disabilities. Providing examples of recent relevant court decisions, it traces the applicable essential elements and likely outcomes for such…

Freedom of expression is imperiled on today's college campuses. Citizens and educators alike are concerned about the number of shout-downs and disinvitations and their silencing effect on intellectual diversity. The use of speech codes, "safe spaces," new rules demanding "trigger warnings," and condemning…

Recounts the case of a high school drama teacher in North Carolina who was disciplined after she chose a play for her students to perform, Lee Blessing's "Independence," which contained characters and language a parent found objectionable. Discusses the legal case that ensued and implications for academic freedom and the First Amendment.…

Public schools are unique environments where the rights and responsibilities of one individual or group can easily, if unintentionally, infringe on the rights and responsibilities of other individuals or groups. This can leave public school employees wondering about the nature and scope of their rights. While it is well established that public…

From 19th-century Protestant hegemony to today's religion-free zones, we have found no proper, constitutional role for religion and religious expression in public education. Both models are unjust and, in some cases, unconstitutional. A third model, composed of consensual guidelines, must be translated into local district policies and practices.…

The Student Press Law Center serves as a national clearinghouse to collect, analyze, and distribute information on the First Amendment rights of student journalists and journalism teachers and on violations of these rights in high schools and colleges. This report details information concerning current censorship incidents: the investigation by…

Teachers have a professional/ethical obligation to teach their subject in as balanced a way as possible so that students will not come away with a biased slant that, in their eyes, has been validated by the school system. The teaching of social studies, especially history, would be impoverished if matters of religious beliefs and influences were…

This study discusses the extent to which the First Amendment rights of freedom of speech and expression apply to teachers in the public schools. A historical perspective of the First Amendment rights of educators is provided; techniques of standard legal research were used to establish the primary sources of law. Investigation, which focuses on…

Describes Judges in the Classroom (JITC) that is a statewide program administered by the Washington State Office of the Administrator for the Courts. Explains that the program brings teachers and judges together to promote better understanding of the law and judiciary. Offers contact information for those interested in JITC. (CMK)

Discusses legal issues resulting from implementation of an advisory component in a comprehensive middle school program. Focuses on safety issues in team-building activities, confidentiality and reporting issues related to adult advisory roles, and First Amendment issues related to religion. Examines the teacher's legal role. Concludes that…

This monograph acquaints advisers, administrators, and students with college press law as it now stands, based on court decisions concerning official student publications and underground newspapers. Chapters focus on the status of the First Amendment on the college campus with regard to student publications, the question of permissible control and…

Presents four essays that discuss (1) the continued apathy of many English teachers toward censorship of textbooks, (2) the tenuous commitment of the general public to the First Amendment rights of speech and assembly, (3) feminists as censors, and (4) the tendency of conflicts between censors and anticensors to be dominated by the extremes. (RBW)

Offers a forum that is a student-organized role play addressing the controversy about whether prayer should be allowed in public schools. Expounds that the students are asked to incorporate information provided in this issue of "Update on Law-related Education" with independent research to form opinions on this controversy. (CMK)

Over the last two decades, the co-authors of this book have worked together to build a tradition of intellectual freedom within public schools. The book describes their struggles as cultural workers, the pedagogical and legal strategies they employed, the resistance they encountered, the lessons they learned, and the impact that they have seen on…

To determine if Kansas scholastic journalism programs were being allowed to practice First Amendment rights as determined by federal court decisions since 1968, a study analyzed 177 questionnaires completed by principals, faculty advisers, and student editors at 75 randomly selected public high schools having student newspapers. Survey results…