Supreme Court decisions are reviewed to determine the status of a constitutional right to education. (GW)

Describes the Marshall-Brennan Fellowship constitutional literacy project wherein 30 pairs of law students at the Washington College of Law teach a constitutional rights and responsibilities course to high school students in Washington, D.C., and Maryland public high schools. Students are also taken to hear oral arguments at the Supreme Court.…

Supreme Court rulings specify that the study of religion in the the public schools must be undertaken from an objective point of view and as part of a program of secular (rather than religious) education. However, the "Back to Basics" movement is a conservative educational philosophy with strong moral and religious overtones. (Author/MLF)

The National Parent Teacher Association acknowledges parents' primary child-rearing role, but questions the need for legislation to extend parents' constitutional rights. Parents already have numerous rights and options for fighting "unreasonable" government interference. The laws that upset parental rights proponents are needed to…

Two issues are important in the controversy over religion in the schools: whether or not the approaches being advocated by religious groups are educationally sound, and the constitutional issue of the public's right to control its schools. (MD)

Concentrates on discussion of a new wave of educational equity litigation involving state lawsuits in the late 1980s and the 1990s seeking the integration of economically segregated schools. Earlier waves include federal racial desegregation decisions beginning with "Brown v. Board of Education" in 1954 and financial equity decisions…

Discusses interpretations of the establishment clause of the First Amendment. Outlines how Supreme Court decisions involving separation of church and state have been based on misinterpretations both of the First Amendment and of the intentions of its framers. (MD)

Widespread "family abuse" by the child protective services industry and feelings of parental "disenfranchisement" have spawned the Parental Rights Movement and associated legislation. Legislation often focuses on formal recognition that parental rights are fundamental and should be protected from government interference;…

Recent Tennessee and Alabama court decisions raise similar issues involving (1) fundamental rights protected by the First Amendment and (2) the process of public education. Outlines the effects these decisions have on teachers and in classrooms. The supporters would suppress critical thinking and imagination while opponents would promote critical…

Threatening student web sites raise complex legal questions for schools. According to "Tinker v. Des Moines (1969), students' First Amendment rights must be abridged to ensure an orderly school environment. Recent litigation, educator rights, American Civil Liberties Union interventions, and legally defensible strategies for schools are…

Describes legal standard of reasonable suspicion for school officials to conduct student searches in public schools and court cases interpreting that standard. Discusses probable-cause standard for student searches by law-enforcement officials, voluntary student searches, and individual versus random searches. Recommends two practices to reduce…

Advocating the complete separation of church and state, the author outlines the history of the present debate over the school-religion controversy. Includes a detailed discussion of interpretations of the First Amendment (especially the establishment clause) and Supreme Court decisions relating to the issue. (MD)

The role of religion in American society has been ignored by textbook publishers and is not being taught in U.S. schools. The support for the separation of church and state is eroding as a result. Includes a sidebar providing supplementary resource materials on religion for use by teachers. (MD)

Summarizes the U.S. Supreme Court decisions that have had the greatest impact on public elementary and secondary education within the last 50 years, beginning with "Brown v. Board of Education" in 1954. Includes decisions involving equality of education, freedom of expression, student discipline and safety, and religion in schools.…