Reviews the Supreme Court's decision in "Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education" affirming court-ordered desegregation to remedy government-sanctioned desegregation. Discusses decision by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals that ended federal court supervision of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District's efforts to achieve…

The insurance coverage a district buys should protect the board as a corporate entity, but it should also provide errors and omissions'' protection for each member of the board as a private citizen and for each designated employee of the district. (Editor)

In a case involving an injured football player, an 11th Circuit judge viewed a coach's refusal to stop a fight as corporal punishment. Federal courts in five circuits have ruled that excessive corporal punishment violates the Due Process Clause if it is so brutal and harmful that it shocks the court's conscience. (MLH)

The Supreme Court issued an unclear decision in "Wygant v. Jackson Board of Education." The case generated five opinions that do not agree on a single set of legal principles to give needed guidance to public officials. Includes discussion of two other cases relating to affirmative action and hiring practices. (MD)

In "Crockett v. Sorenson" a voluntary public school Bible class was found unconstitutional because of sectarian control of the program, and guidelines for a constitutional Bible course were suggested. "May v. Cooperman" ruled against the constitutionality of the moment of silence, a question not yet addressed by the Supreme…

Interviews with Ruby Bridges Hall, Ronald Deskins, and Carlotta Walls LaNier, who were among those charged with integrating public schools after the Supreme Court's "Brown" decision. Thirty-some years later, they reflect on how far they think desegregation and American's attitudes toward racism have come in the ensuing years. (MLF)

Analyzes recent U.S. Supreme Court's 5-4 decision in "Zelman v. Simmons-Harris," upholding the constitutionality of Cleveland's voucher program that provided public funds to private religious schools. Majority held that voucher program did not violate the Establishment Clause of the 14th Amendment. (PKP)

Can a school board choose a minority teacher, using race as a "plus" factor to promote a more diverse faculty for students' benefit? A school board in New Jersey unanimously voted to keep the minority instructor. The case of "Taxman" involves how much academic discretion educators should have in putting together a faculty. The…

The Connick vs. Myers Supreme Court decision regarding public employees' right to express themselves has been applied to public schools in two recent federal court cases. The rulings suggest school boards may discipline school employees for disputes over internal office matters but must tolerate their dissent over public matters. (DCS)

From the 1940s to the 1970s, the numbers and outcomes of court decisions escalated dramatically in favor of students, employees, and other individuals suing school districts. Today, the overall trend of education litigation favors school officials. The single exception is the category for special education. Since passage of the original special…

Two recent court decisions--one from the state of Washington and the other from Indiana--demonstrate that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act's strong presumption in favor of mainstreaming disabled children has its sensible limits. (MLF)

Discusses a Pennsylvania case to determine whether a school district is liable for monetary damages involving a teacher's sexual abuse of a student. The case turns on the meaning of "appropriate person" under the U.S. Supreme Court's Title IX analysis. (PKP)

Last May, the full 11th Circuit Court upheld a school board policy in Duval County, Fla., that permits graduating senior to select a student volunteer to deliver an uncensored "message" during graduation ceremonies. Argues the title, historical context, and content of the policy clearly suggest that school officials sought a way to…

What judges are doing "with increasing boldness," in fact, is telling school people to solve their own cases instead of bringing them to court. (Author)

The United States Supreme Court's decision in "Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier" affirms that school officials have authority over school-sponsored publications. How supervision of student expression is exercised will teach young people a powerful lesson in freedom of the press--or oppression. (MLF)