Federal court cases are examined in an effort to view recent First Amendment rights infringements which have occurred in Mississippi. Case law reinforces students' rights to wear same-sex outfits to school functions as well as to bring same-sex dates. Connection to a recent civil rights investigation by the NAACP into a north Mississippi middle…

Examines recent lower court rulings on students' First Amendment rights. The current disputes center on (1) requiring the flag salute; (2) banning symbols; (3) removing books from the curriculum; and (4) preventing the distribution of publications. Projects the Supreme Court's position should the issue again reach that level. (MLF)

Discusses current developments and recent litigation regarding sexual harassment of students by other students. Contends that, despite the discrepancy in recent circuit court decisions of different standards of liability in such cases, this uncertainty should not frighten school officials into abandoning their common sense. (24 footnotes) (MLF)

Public institutions of higher education often violate the rights to freedom of association, equal protection of the law, and due process to which fraternities are entitled. Examines the following issues: (1) institutional recognition; (2) institutional control; (3) withdrawal of recognition; (4) legal standards of Interfraternity and Panhellenic…

Fourteen years ago in "Goss v. Lopez," the Supreme Court dealt with the procedural due process required when students are suspended for 10 days or less. Examines how case law has developed in lower federal and state courts from this decision. (MLF)

Analyzes two court decisions that defined the responsibilities and rights of student journalists. Both cases held that the newspapers involved were not "public forums." Suggests that the Supreme Court may once again have to address questions that were left unresolved by the majority opinion in "Kuhlmeier." (MLF)

In "Hazelwood," regarding school-sponsored newspapers, the Supreme Court granted broad discretion to school authorities under the First Amendment. Following a brief overview of changes in First Amendment law governing student expression rights since the 1960s is followed by an analysis of the impact of recent developments on the free…

Since its broadly protective decision in "Tinker," the Supreme Court has gradually narrowed the scope of student free speech rights. Examines the development of First Amendment rights in public schools, in particular those of high school journalists. Argues that the "Hazelwood" decision is flawed in several respects. Notes some…

Discusses recent Supreme Court decisions involving student newspapers and freedom of speech, and offers some precautions against possible court litigation and ways to preserve student rights. (SRT)

A study of federal court decisions issued between February 1969 and the end of 1982 revealed that while students do have clearly defined constitutional rights, they also have many legal responsibilities. Forty-two areas of student responsibility are discussed, and 135 relevant court cases are cited. (PGD)

Federal court decisions on high school students' publication rights in the Second, Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh Circuits reveal substantial disagreement about school officials' power of prior restraint over student publications. The courts' opinions range from approval of broad powers of prior restraint to denial of any power. (Author/RW)

Because school lockers are potential hiding places for weapons and drugs, some schools are eliminating them. Searching student lockers on a random basis raises legal questions. Examines the legality of random locker searches based upon the guidelines for student searches set forth by the Supreme Court in "New Jersey v. T.L.O." and lower…

In "New Jersey v. T.L.O.," the Supreme Court determined that public school searches must meet a two-pronged reasonableness standard. Search must be "justified at its inception" and be "reasonably related in scope to the circumstances." Examines factors that courts have found important in applying the T.L.O. standard.…

James LaVine, a high-school junior, wrote a first-person fantasy about killing 28 people in school and then committing suicide. The district suspended him for 17 days. James and his father filed suit against the school district alleging that the emergency expulsion violated James' First Amendment rights. The District Court ruled for the LaVines…

Addresses the question of whether student prayer groups should be allowed to use school facilities. The Equal Access Act allows all noncurricular student groups to meet, whereas four federal appellate court decisions ban prayer groups on the basis that separation between church and state outweighs students' right to free speech. (WTH)