Allowing public funds to be used for tuition and other expenses in private schools through a voucher system has been the source of debate in legislative and educational forums for almost half a century, but only recently have school vouchers become a serious school reform strategy. This article provides a brief overview of the voucher plans…

Discusses the comparable worth theory, which holds that women should receive compensation equal to men's for work requiring similar skills, responsibility, and effort. Reviews the Supreme Court decision in County of Washington v. Gunther, which concerns Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and sex discrimination where jobs are unequal. (Author/RW)

Reviews recent state and federal rural school funding litigation. Concludes that while rural school advocates have been relatively successful in the courts, efforts to obtain adequate state funding for rural schools through the legislative process are only partially successful. (Contains 16 references.)(PKP)

Extensive review of the research literature on the impact of school finance litigation on finance reform. Classifies 200 studies reviewed into four groups: general literature, single-state studies, multi-state studies, and direct litigation-effect studies. Concludes that litigation contributed to higher levels of school funding. (Contains 113…

The Supreme Court decision upholding the authority of the Internal Revenue Service to revoke the tax-exempt status of a university with discriminatory policies is reviewed and interpreted as protecting the redress of past racial inequities in education against interference even from constitutionally guaranteed free religious exercise. (MJL)

Examines and addresses the major issues involved in school districts voluntarily filing for protection under the control and supervision of Chapter 9 of the Federal Bankruptcy Act. Discusses legal and managerial alternatives and examines the most recent Supreme Court ruling regarding the rejection of collective bargaining contracts under the act.…

Discusses the U.S. Supreme Court decision in "Halderman v. Pennhurst State School and Hospital," involving the rights of and treatment provided for residents in a Pennsylvania institution for the severely retarded, under the federal Rehabilitation Act, the Developmentally Disabled Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, and a state law. (RW)

Considers the implications for school boards and school officials of recent litigation under Section 1983 of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1871. Reviews the issues of official status under the law, immunity to suits, good faith defences, and liability for damages. (RW)

Recounts actions of the Internal Revenue Service and the federal government from 1965 to 1982 involving tax exempt status and racially discriminatory schools. Traces federal court decisions on the issue since 1970, including "Green v. Connally" and current Supreme Court cases involving Bob Jones University (South Carolina) and Goldsboro…

Discusses briefly and then presents the text of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in "Board of Education v. Rowley." The Court held that, under the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, a school district is not required to provide interpreter services for a deaf student already making satisfactory educational progress. (RW)

Since the U.S. Supreme Court's 1972 landmark "Rodriguez" decision (constitutionally challenging Texas's school-finance system), courts have increasingly used student assessments as evidence of educational adequacy and focused more on educational quality than fiscal equity. Despite pitched battles, a consensus of adequacy and quality may…