This article discusses concerns about how Neil M. Gorsuch, a U.S. Supreme Court nominee, might influence decisions regarding cases involving the appropriate scope of services guaranteed by federal special-education law, government aid to religious institutions providing educational services, and how intellectual property law applies to sports…

The latest episode in the long-running struggle for control of the Constitution, and the political power that goes with it, is playing out in the federal courts in California. The contending philosophies are originalism, which holds that the Constitution should be read as it was originally understood by the framers and ratifiers, and the congeries…

A case pending in a federal court of appeals in California may clarify a surprisingly murky question: Do faculty members at public universities enjoy a special privilege to speak freely about institutional matters, or, as far as the First Amendment is concerned, are they just another category of government hirelings? Juan Hong, a professor of…

Describes the development of the Supreme Court Opinion Network (SCON) which evolved from the need for the Electronic Dissemination of Opinions (EDO). The roles of the Court, vendors, and publishers are explained; funding is discussed; and the computer system that ultimately emerged, Project Hermes, is described. (Contains 16 references.) (LRW)

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…

In 1969 the Supreme Court, in "Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District," established the right of students to freedom of expression in school unless the exercise of that right would materially and substantially interfere with the requirements of appropriate discipline or collide with the rights of others in the school.…

Examines the court transformation of civil rights from equal opportunity and nondiscrimination to racial/gender/ethnic proportional representation. It analyzes the implications for justice and equality and suggests that it is time to restore the moral ideals of the civil rights coalition of 1964. (GR)

Describes recent cases of censorship in Florida, which involve books and magazines in school and public libraries, magazine sales, public showings of films, television programs, and art exhibits. It is suggested that the present censorship climate is the result of a rapid population growth that has led to fear of change and a desire for…

Explores six court cases in which the court addressed the permissibility of aid to higher education under the federal constitution. While state court interpretations may shift because of "Ex Corde Ecclesiae," the Papal constitution on higher education, it is seen as unlikely that federal or state taxing authorities will revoke…

Reviews court cases in which parents challenged school practices on religious grounds. Puts particular emphasis on recent attempts to make the curriculum conform to religious views. (Author/JM)

Finds desegregation (even that produced by federal courts) moving slowly, inequity in opportunities for Blacks in school administration, and future prospects for reform of desegregated schools, school desegregation, and minority promotion to administrative positions "extremely discouraging," especially in view of the Reagan…

Reports on a study of the treatment of the Second Amendment in 24 secondary-level U.S. history textbooks and 8 U.S. government textbooks. Discusses inadequate and inaccurate interpretations and calls for a portrayal of the Second Amendment that reflects what the founding fathers wanted and what the courts have decided. (CFR)

Two addresses presented at a conference of top administrators of traditionally black colleges are presented. In "The Clarion Call: Imperatives for the Pursuit of Excellence," Robert J. Albright discusses urgent issues in the survival and strengthening of historically black institutions. The paper begins by examining the significance of…