An analysis of the legal issues dealing with mass media today. Topics covered are media ownership, fairness doctrine, federal policy and fine arts, free press/fair trial, and confidentiality of news sources. The latest court decisions and their implications are discussed along with each topic. (HB)

Tracing the development of school library controversies involving book removals, this article examines federal court cases including the Supreme Court's split decision in "Board of Education v. Pico." Outlined is how First Amendment principles have been used in the resolution of these cases. (MD)

Discusses the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in "San Antonio Independent School District v. Rodriguez," handed down 10 years ago, concerning financial equity in the Texas school finance program. Summarizes Justice Powell's majority opinion and Justice Marshall's dissent and introduces the two following articles assessing the decision's…

John Coons, coauthor of a book on equity in public education finance that influenced the theories tested in "San Antonio Independent School District v. Rodriguez," discusses the issues involved in the case, the likely impact had the decision favored the plaintiffs, and the future of school finance reform. (RW)

Reviews cases currently before the U.S. Supreme Court. Issues identified that are of importance to American educators include censorship, discrimination, busing, unions, and educational malpractice. (GC)

Reviews court cases and current issues involving nonverbal communication and the First Amendment. Concludes that many modes of nonverbal expression have won a firm place under the umbrella of protection of the First Amendment but that some modes (flag and draft card burnings, economic boycotts, and coercive persuasion) still raise troublesome…

The equal protection clause permits gender classification and discrimination and cannot support a broadening concept of sexual equality. An equal rights amendment is needed to remedy the situation. Available from Rutgers School of Law-Camden, 5th and Penn Streets, Camden, NJ 08102. (Author/IRT)

The holding that an employee could pay the equivalent of her union dues to a charity signifies an acceptance of accommodation and tolerance for differing religious practices in a pluralistic society. Available from Tennessee Law Review Association, Inc., 1505 W. Cumberland Ave., Knoxville, TN 37916. (Author/IRT)

Describes the background and outcome of a court case testing the right of a high school committee to bar an anthology from the school library. (CMV)

Earlier, the Supreme Court of Canada upheld the conviction of a teacher who, within his teaching, was propagating anti-Jewish sentiments. Now, in "Attis v. The Board of School Trustees District No. 15," the Supreme Court decided that a teacher's off-duty activities, which propagate extreme or virulent views against a religious or ethnic…

Discusses current developments and recent litigation regarding sexual harassment of students by other students. Contends that, despite the discrepancy in recent circuit court decisions of different standards of liability in such cases, this uncertainty should not frighten school officials into abandoning their common sense. (24 footnotes) (MLF)

Discusses two lines of case law regarding whether public schools are required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to provide special education and related services to parent-placed private school students on the private school site when the public schools maintain their own appropriate program. (133 footnotes) (MLF)

Traces the history of "The Pledge of Allegiance" litigation and discusses the probability the Supreme Court will agree to resolve the difference in judicial opinion over the constitutionality of including the words "under God" in the pledge. (Contains 32 references.) (MLF)

Discusses Section 1983 of the Civil Rights Act of 1871, focusing on "Gonzaga University v. Doe" (2001). Reviews the Supreme Court's decision, analyzes the decision as it applies to federal statutes such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and discusses future implications of the decision. (Contains 91 endnotes.) (WFA)