A case involving an African-American teacher's complaint about a (reassigned) building engineer's abusive and racist language went nowhere. Apparently, the mere use of foul language does not establish a Title VII claim; the custodian's sporadic comments did not create a sufficiently "hostile work environment." (MLH)

More sets of twins will probably show up in classrooms, since the "twinning rate" has risen from 23 per 1,000 in 1990 to 27 per thousand in 1997. School policies that separate twins from kindergarten on may not be in kids' best interest. Language and environmental factors are discussed. (MLH)

In a Sixth Circuit Court decision, Judge Harry Welford concluded that the First Amendment did not prohibit an Ohio school district from banning Marilyn Manson T-shirts under the district's constitutional authority to regulate student speech (disruptive behavior) that conflicts with its basic educational mission. (MLH)

In its "stare decisis" ruling upholding a Pennsylvania school district's random drug-testing policy, a three-judge panel of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals nonetheless declared its disagreement with a similar panel's 1998 decision upholding another district's policy of random, suspicionless drug, alcohol, and tobacco testing. (MLH)

Describes Beloit (Wisconsin) School District's systemwide policy on school-related rights of divorced parents. In 1982, a committee of divorce lawyers, clinical social workers, school administrators, and a judge designed a comprehensive policy (based primarily on "no fault" divorce provisions) governing visits during school hours,…

Describes problems associated with student-promotion systems and practices and specifies the situations in which grade retention works best. Offers recommendations for rethinking the policy and practice of retention. (LMI)

As violence in school increases, administrators need to assess school security and take steps to make it effective. School employers must have an understanding of student discipline policies for any security system to work. A security assessment should examine such issues as policies and procedure, school sites, school security staff, and…

High-school hazing--intimidation, humiliation, or punishment of younger recruits by veteran athletes and others--is becoming increasingly violent. Schools should react immediately and aggressively to reported incidents, develop a specific policy, educate their coaches, provide adult locker-room supervision, survey their alumni, and be observant.…

As the Internet becomes increasingly commercialized, the K-12 world will need to follow higher education's lead and define who owns a wealth of instructional information. Some companies are actively seeking to purchase teacher-created work. Teachers generally own what they create, but district policies should be in place. (MLH)

Presents the findings from a 1985 survey of state legislation and school system policy on child abuse. All 50 states have statutes mandating that child abuse be reported, but there is great variation in how the laws are written and interpreted. Recommends three steps school boards should follow to establish effective child abuse reporting policy.…

The discipline policy at Xenia (Ohio) High School deals unequivocally with student drug and alcohol users. Chemically dependent students are forced to get help. (Author/JM)

So far the courts have supported most schools' zero-tolerance policies--even those banning toy weapons, over-the-counter drugs, and unseemly conduct. However, wide-ranging get-tough policies can draw criticism. Policy experts advise school boards to ask the community, decide what people want, allow some wiggle room, create an appeals process,…

A panel of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) experts at a recent conference sponsored by the National School Boards Association provided useful advice and information to school officials on medical, legal, and policy-related issues raised by the AIDS epidemic. Highlights of the conference are discussed. (TE)

Offers 10 tips for developing well-designed crises-management plans and specified procedures for dealing with crises and tragedies. (LMI)

Supreme Court decisions to date underscore school boards' responsibility to take action against on-campus sexual harassment. The high court will support employers who issue, communicate, and enforce policies prohibiting unlawful gender discrimination. Such policies need a clear "no tolerance" statement, detailed legal definitions, and a…