Reactions to the retirement of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and debate over the president's replacement nomination, Judge John Roberts, Jr., of the D.C. Circuit, dominated this summer's Supreme Court recess. Subsequently, after Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist's death on September 3, 2005, President Bush nominated Roberts for the chief justice…

Examines the fundamental points established by case law in the area of search and seizure of property of public school students. Federal and state court cases are analyzed; and a review of the literature establishes additional points of emphasis. (CT)

A case involving a strip-search of two second-grade girls in Talledega, Alabama, was dismissed with an eight-to-three vote by the 11th Circuit Court. The court issued an opinion on only one question in the case: whether the employees involved were entitled to "qualified immunity." Advises administrators to be cautious and permit strip…

Although most parents want school officials to enforce rules for a drug-free school environment, they often feel differently when their own children are the objects of student searches. This paper argues that as long as searches are directed at "others,"--those who are known or assumed to be guilty of school rule violations or criminal…

Discusses the federal constitutional limits placed on school officials in various attempts to reduce crime in their schools. Describes searches of a student's person and belongings, school lockers, and the use of metal detectors. Possible pitfalls for schools in their efforts to reduce crime include due process requirements. (97 footnotes) (MLF)

Suggests that it is necessary to protect the privacy of government procedures that could compromise security, yet there is also a need to revise and fine-tune legislation that expands government authority. Asserts that all major corrections in the delicate balance between public safety and civil rights typically require corrections themselves. (NB)

This paper--part of a collection of 54 papers from the 48th annual conference of the Education Law Association held in November 2002--addresses social forces that affect the school curriculum regarding legal rights of public-school students. It identifies areas of concern and recommends methods for ensuring that the legal rights of students are…

Traces legal balance in "Tinker" between Constitutional rights of students and caveat that these rights were secure only as exercise did not "interfere" with disciplinary processes of school. Cites changing political landscape; free exercise and establishment of religion; and search and seizure. Concludes that students appear…

Court cases involving the relationship between institutions of higher education and their students during 1980 are discussed in this sixth and final chapter. A number of cases concerned constitutional issues such as rights of expression, due process, and association; separation of church and state; and freedom from undue search and seizure. Also…

A review of 1977 cases that involved students and institutions of higher education indicates that students seem to be more concerned with their rights as educational consumers. The majority of cases concern controversies focusing on classroom and academic evaluation and treatment of students; receipt of various forms of financial aid; use of…

Court cases involving the relationship between institutions of higher education and their students during 1979 are discussed in this sixth and final chapter. The Iranian crisis and economic conditions during the year both affected cases touching on several of the topics addressed. These topics include such constitutional issues as rights of…