Reviews four recent court decisions affecting school law. A Circuit Court of Appeals ruling upheld Norfolk Schools' decision to abolish busing and reinstate neighborhood schools. The United States Supreme Court dismissed appeals to lower court decisions involving a minimum grade prerequisite, a teacher's privacy rights, and an "adult"…

Dismissing a teacher for insubordination is usually acceptable to the courts when the teacher willfully defies reasonable and specific regulations and orders despite repeated and clear directives that such behavior must cease. (PGD)

School boards may permit incumbent teacher unions access to mailboxes while prohibiting rival unions such access. Dissenting justices argued that exclusive access is discrimination and amounts to censorship and infringement of the First Amendment. School boards should consider carefully before granting exclusive access to incumbent unions. (PB)

Within Australia's complex labor relations system, federal law has gradually become dominant over state law. In the 1990s, the Australian High Court broadened workers' entitlements. In a 1995 case, teachers have become pivotal in the new industrial relations system. The federal law becomes more significant for unions and their members in seeking…

In what Carroll College president called "fiscally driven decisions," four professors failed to win tenure because they did not match "institutional needs." The decision caused great public outcry since each of the four professors excelled in teaching, research and service. What angered people most is that the college planned…

When conflicts arise between the call for information in the name of public interest and the teacher's right to privacy, teachers' privacy should be respected by school boards and administrators unless the teacher's private life impairs the fulfillment of professional responsibilities. (IAH)

The authors state their book's main purpose is to assist teachers to become "legally literate." The reviewers describe the book as a wide-ranging, narrative approach to teachers' legal rights. However, those who want an indepth and technical discussion on substantive and procedural issues are advised to look elsewhere. (MLF)

A Connecticut teacher who was fired after being accused of improperly touching a student tells the story of his ordeal. In the months following his termination, his mental health deteriorated as the media made frequent sensational reports. He feels, even if he wins his countersuit, he cannot be fully vindicated. (SM)

When performance problems arise with a tenured teacher, the principal has the following obligations: (1) determine the extent and cause of the problems; (2) devise a remediation strategy; (3) respect the teacher's due process rights; and (4) maintain written documentation. (MLF)

Bargaining in Catholic schools is fraught with complex issues. Two cases, "New York State Employment Relations Board v Christ the King Regional High School" and "South Jersey Catholic School Teachers Organization v St. Teresa of the Infant Jesus Elementary School," may help balance teachers' labor rights and theological…

Describes how a language professor who was denied tenure now specializes in helping academics challenge their colleges. (EV)

According to Joe A. Stone of the University of Oregon, average students do better in classrooms with unionized teachers, but less able and more able students do not. While this particular assumption lacks empirical clarity, many administrators and school board members feel that it would be much easier to reform public education if teacher unions…

The peer review system for evaluating schools (the "Toledo Plan") is gaining favor among teachers in other school systems. Schools are generally reluctant to dismiss incompetent teachers because of documentation complexities, but incompetent teachers should nevertheless be weeded out. (TE)

Examines the effects on school administrators' influence of the formal relationships established by collective bargaining and of administrators' leadership styles. A survey conducted in 20 Chicago-area high schools measures as a dependent variable teachers'"professional zone of acceptance" or psychological contract. (MCG)

Notes that increasing support for denominational education in Canada challenges educators to examine the issue before serious conflict reaches the courts. Notes that denominational education is affecting teachers' professionalism and human rights. Explains that because existing court judgments are contradictory, conflict resolution is better…