A federal statute provided that parents may use the judicial process to challenge educators' decisions. Describes the intent of legalization; how reaction to an adversarial system led to the use of mediation in most states; and why this alternative model is not appropriate for resolving education questions. (MLF)

Issues in Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidelines for financial audit of colleges and universities that relate specifically to the institution's compensation of officers, directors, and employees are discussed. Institutions are advised that the "unreasonable compensation" issue may be raised, and they should review compensation…

Proposed changes to patent law that would seriously affect university research administration are evaluated. These concern changing award of patent rights from the "first person to invent" to "first person to file patent application," establishing exemption from liability for infringement in some cases, and establishing a simplified provisional…

In response to real and perceived problems in higher education, the federal government has increased regulation on campus. Even greater changes, some that will affect the teaching function of colleges and universities, notably the state review and accreditation provisions of the Higher Education Amendments of 1992, are already in the works. (MSE)

A federal tax official specializing in tax-exempt organizations discusses the relatively new use of coordinated examination audits. Significant issues being raised as the use of such audits expands are examined, including employment tax, contractors, withholding on students, unrelated business income, bond financing, the audit process, corporate…

Although the Medicaid program has brought health insurance coverage to millions of poor children and their families, children continue to make up a disproportionately large share of uninsured Americans. Discusses the various national reform measures under consideration to expand health insurance coverage and contain the costs of such coverage,…

Provisions of the Higher Education Act Amendments of 1992 concerning accreditation provide a clear message to the higher education community that the public has serious questions about the quality of higher education. Confidence can be restored by increasing public involvement in accreditation and by informing it of higher education's…

Copyright issues are discussed in the context of expanding use of digital media for publication and dissemination of information. Issues reviewed include conflict of academic values and copyright, the challenge of copyright protection for digital works, and the applicable law. Several scenarios illustrate specific legal problems. (MSE)

This response to previous symposium papers (EC 604 155-161) concerning regulations and quality assurance in Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICF/MR) sees regulations as the bureaucratization of values, identifies paradoxes implicit in regulatory controls, and urges reform of the current developmental disability service…

A review of the history of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 clearly shows that the legal standard for providing a free appropriate public education to handicapped students is set forth in the Education of the Handicapped Act and not Section 504. (39 references) (MLF)

The vocational rehabilitation system has been largely unsuccessful in improving the lives and employability of the disabled. Proposes replacing public agencies with a more competitive voucher system of services for the disabled. This would empower the disabled to choose their own providers and to cull poor services from good. (CJS)

Poses questions that school board members and administrators must address in planning school facilities to educate all students. Lists 24 questions that address the changing demographics within the community and demonstrate that school facilities of tomorrow will need to meet the diverse learning needs of all children. (MLF)

Discusses the state of children's television in Australia and considers possibilities for the future. Topics include regulatory frameworks and requirements for children's programs; imported programming, including animated material; the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child; and values promoted to children. (LRW)

Argues that in light of recent legal actions, colleges and universities would be wise to review their use of racial preferences in awarding financial aid. Federal and state legislation, court litigation, and federal regulations are reviewed, and arguments for and against minority scholarships are outlined. Ways in which institutions can justify…

This paper reviews and analyzes law and litigation concerning the legal parameters within which schools can provide nonpaid instructional work experiences to students with disabilities. It covers the Fair Labor Standards Act (1938), recent federal appellate and district court cases, and recent guidelines of the Departments of Education and Labor.…