Updated for the first time since 2005, this indispensable volume includes revised interpretations of the Library Bill of Rights along with key intellectual freedom guidelines and policies, including: (1) A new chapter, "Interactivity and the Internet," and other fresh material on intellectual freedom and privacy in online social…

Questions arise about the constitutionality of including some form of prayer, usually an invocation or benediction, in public school graduation ceremonies, and whether such prayer can appropriately be delivered by a minister or other religious leader. The U. S. Supreme Court has not addressed this precise issue, but an analysis of other courts'…

Provides a checklist for administrators and board members to use in examining school policy to see if it can stand legal challenges. The list covers such areas as the educational soundness, precision, fairness, and equity of educational policies. (IRT)

Challenges to the admissions processes of colleges and universities have been successfully lodged on both contract and due process (14th Amendment) grounds. Reviews and categorizes these cases and suggests steps institutions can take to avoid litigation. (MLF)

When considering student expulsion, it is important to keep complete records of all hearings and proceedings. Reviewed is a recent Pennsylvania court case in which a board decision to expel two students was overturned in the courts because no hearing records were kept. (MD)

Presents 11 guidelines, based on constitutional requirements, to help the school administrator to develop a firm and fair student discipline code. Condensed from "A Legal Memorandum", March 1981, published by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Reston, Virginia. (Editor/SJL)

The legal parameters concerning how and when to properly graduate special education students are examined, through review of the United States Constitution, the Rehabilitation Act, the Education of All Handicapped Children Act, and subsequent case law. Recommendations on how school districts can properly terminate services are also presented.…

A guide is presented for faculty members and administrators about circumstances in which faculty may speak freely on issues and what procedural safeguards are applicable when disciplinary actions are contemplated. Issues of contracts, interests conflicting with the state's, tests for violation of First Amendment rights, defenses, and remedies are…

Senior high girls and boys from two single-sex schools undertook a study of a Supreme Court case that provided insight not only into constitutional law and history but also into how men and women can work together and relate in other ways than dating. (DS)

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…

This report contends that most U.S. history and government textbooks give only cursory attention to the Second Amendment "...the right of the people to keep and bear arms..." to the U.S. Constitution, and most endorse a particular political view of the amendment, rather than providing the necessary background for an informed political…

From a legal perspective, teacher evaluations can be a school's most valuable tool when administrators need to pursue or defend personnel actions. The first step in a practical evaluation process is to determine the evaluation's purpose, and the second is to determine what is to be evaluated. Evaluations should focus on factors that actually…

A central issue in litigation arising from adverse employment decisions affecting school personnel is the adequacy of due process procedures. Due process is required only if a teacher is able to establish a protected property or liberty interest. The first section of this chapter accordingly discusses the circumstances under which due process is…

A carefully structured process for campus administrative decision making concerning hate speech is proposed and suggestions for implementation are offered. In addition, criteria for evaluating hate speech processes are outlined, and First Amendment principles circumscribing the institution's discretion to regulate hate speech are discussed.…

Four situations involving freedom of speech that could occur on college campuses are offered to help campus activities administrators consider in advance the implications of controversial events and possible techniques for managing them. The situations include a controversial pro-choice speaker, an X-rated movie, heckling in a public area, and…