School administrators sometimes face circumstances in which student searches seem necessary in order to maintain discipline and provide a safe learning environment. This publication provides an overview of recent court cases related to student searches, in an effort to help school officials anticipate and avoid legal problems while they carry out…

Although the Federal courts have not yet decided any cases involving search and seizure of student's property, various State courts have ruled that the Fourth Amendment protects students from "unreasonable" searches by school officials. However, the courts have generally applied a less stringent standard in justifying searches by school…

In this booklet, the Council of Supervisors and Administrators of the City of New York seeks to offer hope that teachers' and principals' capacity for the reasonable exercise of authority has not been exhausted. There is a body of legal opinion that supports the authority of the principal in disciplinary matters. It is a misconception that a…

A nationwide controversy over the right of privacy has arisen as a result of companies probing into their workers' habits and health through such means as mandatory drug tests, electronic databases, and lie detector tests. The legal claims arising from these civil suits against employers for invasion of privacy have established precedents that are…

The standards and commentary in this volume are part of a series designed to cover the juvenile justice system and its relationship to the rights and responsibilities of juveniles. This volume on public education is addressed to legislators, courts, lawyers, educators, parents, students, and the general public. The volume proposes standards…

School administrators are challenged to maintain the delicate balance between protecting individuals' rights and ensuring the general welfare by maintaining a safe, secure learning environment. Legal principles and precedents governing restrictions on student appearance, privacy and procedural rights, harassment and hate crimes, and suicide are…

This monograph attempts to provide clear understanding of the standards presented by the Supreme Court in "New Jersey v. T.L.O." relative to search and seizure in public schools, and suggests practical ways of applying search and seizure law to situations in the school setting. ("T.L.O." are the initials of the anonymous…

The increased presence of drugs and weapons in schools has forced school officials to step up searches of students, lockers, and school property. The landmark case of "New Jersey vs. TLO" set standards concerning reasonable suspicion and reasonable searches. School officials must be familiar with recent court opinions on student…

Presents a student- and community-produced assembly program in which several Supreme Court cases are reenacted. Focuses on student rights concerning search and seizure, freedom of speech, and freedom of of the press. Provides a 40- to 50-minute script with roles for narrators, administrators, police officers, reporters, lawyers, and students. (CH)

Lawyers who volunteer to teach youngsters about law and the legal process will find this special issue of "LRE Project Exchange," which contains lesson plans and suggestions from teachers and other lawyers, useful. "Sure-Fire Presentations" (A. Gallagher) offers practical suggestions for making classroom presentations more…

This publication contains articles that focus on the legal issues that confront schools when they use various means to maintain order and safeguard student well being, and examine the liability that may be imposed if they fail to do so. Following the foreword and the introduction, the articles include: (1) "Legal and Policy Issues in Curbing…

These materials include the script for a mock trial in which students are asked to role play the participants in a case based on the facts of New Jersey v. T.L.O., 469 U.S. 325 (1985). The case raised questions involving a students' rights to protection against unreasonable searches and seizures under the Fourth Amendment and schools' needs to…

This booklet presents a set of secondary level classroom strategies for examining American history in light of issues identified by the American Issues Forum. Emphasis is on "certain inalienable rights" of citizens. This topic is covered in four sections: freedom of speech, assembly, and religion; freedom of the press; freedom of search…

Because recent legislation and court decisions have expanded the rights of all students, schools of the 70s must educate them about the responsibilities that go with these newly recognized rights. A nationwide survey indicates that many schools have established grievance procedures based on open communication and clearly stated policies. And many…

This booklet provides an overview of the changes in the area of student rights in recent years. Most of these changes have been mandated by the courts and cover such areas as discrimination, student records, searches, religion in the schools, freedom of speech and assembly, suspension, and expulsion. The author holds that in the future there will…