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…

The concept "in loco parentis" is discussed in relation to its historical place in education and its current status. The doctrine has expanded from its original idea of "restraint and correction" to figure significantly in court cases involving corporal punishment, student searches, school rules, correlative duties, and…

In 1985 the United States Supreme Court concluded that the Fourth Amendment's prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures does apply to public school officials. Offers some hypothetical examples for public school officials to consider regarding mandatory urine testing and the reasonable suspicion standard. (MLF)

Before electing to utilize metal-detection devices for random weapons searches of students, school districts should be prepared for the possibility of having to litigate the legality of their policies. Reviews the limited case law on the subject, and offers recommendations to districts that decide to proceed with the development of such a policy.…

Nationwide, schools, communities, parents and students recognize the continuing need to make schools a safe place, an environment where children can learn without fear for their safety. In the past few years, the available research on violence prevention has increased, providing legislators with important information about effective violence…

Notes that students' legitimate expectations of privacy and school officials' need to maintain school discipline and safety often collide. Outlines guidelines for searching in the following instances: student lockers; drug dogs; student trips; strip searches; and urinalysis. Suggests that training for all administrators, faculty, and staff in the…

Reviews the Supreme Court student search policy in relation to a recent decision concerning a Pima County, Arizona, high school student search that revealed cocaine but was found to be an illegal search. Also reviews the lower court decision in "Loudermill v. Cleveland Board of Education," which found that the school had provided its…

This part of the School Management Handbook provides the elementary school administrator with an overview of civil rights issues affecting school discipline policy. The first section treats the requirements for providing due process and avoiding discrimination against minority groups when following disciplinary procedures. Section 2 covers…

Many view the problem of violence as not merely a school problem, but as a much larger community problem that is finding its way into the schools. As a society, in addition to teaching our children how to be violent, we are giving them the tools of violence. There are steps that school board members can take to establish and maintain control of…

The courts have come to play an increasingly important role in educational policy making and the administrative management of our public schools. This is especially apparent in the context of school discipline where numerous and varied controversies have been translated into legal disputes over the past three decades, many of which have ultimately…

The purpose of this study was to help public school administrators, especially principals, to understand the legal and constitutional limitations of their authority in dealing with students. Control of students is discussed as five separate topics, each representing a chapter, as follows: (1) freedom of expression and First Amendment rights; (2)…

Provides an edited version of the Supreme Court opinions in "TLO v New Jersey." Includes an article delineating the new rules on student searches that have resulted from the court decision. A third article discusses questionable areas the Court decision left unclear. (MD)

This legal primer on violence in schools addresses the responsibility of school officials to respond to undisciplined youths whose behavior threatens the welfare and safety of other children in attendance. It is broken down into sections that provide a brief overview of the key rules and guidelines for school officials and teachers in each topic…

With the alarming increase in drugs and weapons on American school campuses, teachers and school officials have stepped up their efforts to search lockers, other school property, and sometimes the students themselves. School officials must remember that any search of a student creates a Fourth Amendment issue. Thus, it is important to know the…

This paper presents a two-phase approach to drug prevention which can be implemented by the schools. Materials presented here describe aproaches taken by various schools or school districts nationwide. Phase One concerns board of education policies. The offenses of simple possession or use of a drug and possession with intent to sell are…