Notes that the principles of academic freedom are not well established and that standards are difficult to define for judging individual cases of conflict. Reviews cases which demonstrate how difficult it is to draw the line between the rights of parents and the school board and the rights of teachers and students. (JDH)

Asserts that the rational use and management of conflict resulting from the clash of ideas is a sine qua non for social studies teachers. Argues that competent social studies teachers must stop short of violating the personal privacy of students even if the purpose is noble. (JDH)

Discusses the textbook protest movement, highlighting themes and materials that have come under attack. Examines how art education might be affected by the movement and presents eight guidelines, adapted from the work of Ken Donelson, as quoted by Edward B. Jenkinson, for the safe selection of course material. (GEA)

Briefly reviews the history of the Hatch Amendment Regulations. Offers five lessons that can be learned from its passage. Concludes that we must develop better rapport with parents, including them as committee advisory members and making sure that we are not violating the substance or spirit of the Hatch Amendment. (JDH)

Academic freedom is an elusive concept. Many university and college faculty members who purport to possess its protections believe they have a solid understanding of its nature and of the individual rights secured by academic freedom. There is some consensus on the meaning of the term in the academic universe. This concurrence of understanding is…

Discusses judicial decisions bearing on the nature of academic freedom as a constitutional right of public school teachers. Summarizes cases that recognize a teacher's right to teach contrary to the wishes of school authorities, and cases that uphold the state's right to control the public school curriculum. (SR)

Historian Joan Wallach Scott has served on the AAUP's Committee A on Academic Freedom and Tenure since 1993. She was committee chair from 1999 until this past June, when she became a consultant to the committee. To mark her transition from chair to consultant, "Academe" asked her to participate in an interview about her experience with the…

Part of the acceptance speech of the 1985 National Council for the Social Studies Teacher of the Year, this article describes the censorship experience of this honored social studies teacher. The incident involved the showing of a videotape version of the feature film entitled "The Seduction of Joe Tynan." (JDH)

This article reviews recent threats to academic freedom and examines the tendencies which either undermine or bolster the individual's willingness to exercise that freedom. Concludes that those who would curtail academic freedom are receiving support from a conservative federal judiciary and a national administration that identifies closely with…

Cites examples of private attacks and governmental restrictions on academic freedom. Contends that teachers must explicitly teach the importance of free inquiry in an open society; and that school districts must have written procedures in place for dealing with complaints. (JDH)

The relationship between faculty union mandatory membership provisions in a collective bargaining agreement and the rights of faculty protected by tenure and academic freedom are examined, and college options and considerations in negotiating contracts under collective bargaining laws are discussed. (MSE)

A statement by Committee A on Academic Freedom and Tenure of the American Association of University Professors on the organization "Accuracy in Academia" is presented. External monitoring of in-class statements presents the prospect that words uttered will be distorted or taken out of context and have a chilling effect. (MLW)

Accuracy in Academia (AIA) is seen as a threat to academic freedom. Its activity is opposed by the American Association of University Professors for the following reasons: *AIA monitors will inhibit academic freedom, quality of academic performance should be judged through peer evaluation, and AIA has a narrow mindset. (MLW)

In "Westbrook," a federal court recently struck down a school board policy in Wyoming that limited and channeled criticism among employees. Summarizes the judge's reasoning and concludes that the board failed to seek a balance between its legitimate interests and the basic right of school employees to speak out about matters of public…

Examines the implications of the exercise of academic freedom as well as potential threats to it. Considers administrative problems, reasonableness of standards, grading practices, and relevance of course content as well as scholarship. (KEH)