In this commencement address given by the Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, a brief review of the Younger vs. Harris case is given. In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that federal courts could not issue injunctions against state criminal proceedings on the ground that such prosecutions would result…

Asserts that (1) the judicial branch of the federal government should involve itself less in the lives of the citizenry except in the area of equal rights for disadvantaged minorities; and (2) to accurately judge effects of alleged discrimination, one must know who is the victim and to what class he belongs. (Author/GC)

Evaluates the Supreme Court's decisions relating to education during the past few years and the effect that the retirement of Justice Lewis Powell will have on the balance of the Supreme Court. Discusses nominee Robert Bork and his possible effect if he becomes a member of the Supreme Court. (MD)

Recent decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court appear to create similar standards in employment discrimination cases harmonizing the theories of disparate treatment and disparate impact. Implications of the emerging judicial unification between the two theories are addressed and its relevance to school districts summarized. (MLF)

Argues that the record of the United States Supreme Court hardly warrants a view of the Court as a special protector of minorities. The idea of the Court as guardian of minority rights obscures the more fundamental and lasting role of the Court as protector of property rights. (SLD)

The United States Supreme Court's attitude toward school integration is analyzed in this paper. The liberal rulings of the Court under Justice Earl Warren are traced through 1974. The Court's consideration during this racist period and the disproportionate impact of school board policies in producing segregated schooling is detailed. The reversal…

In Boston a number of factors contributed to the prolonged community resistance to school desegregation and busing to achieve it. First, for ten years prior to 1974, Boston residents had been assured that their children had a right to attend neighborhood schools and that this right would never be abridged. Thus, the court order to utilize bus…

Major legal issues confront urban schools today, among them: (1) equal access of racial groups to quality education; (2) students' rights to due process; (3) teachers' rights to due process, academic freedom, collective bargaining, and promotion to administrative positions; (4) equal opportunity for those needing special education; (5) equal…

In an effort to foster better understanding of the crucial role of the courts in protecting all persons from legislative and executive overreaching, this report examines and evaluates the Helms-Johnston Amendment, one of many efforts Congress is making to limit the authority of federal courts in cases involving the controversial issues of…

Traces legal balance in "Tinker" between Constitutional rights of students and caveat that these rights were secure only as exercise did not "interfere" with disciplinary processes of school. Cites changing political landscape; free exercise and establishment of religion; and search and seizure. Concludes that students appear…

Argues that recent trends in Supreme Court decisions do not bode well for future civil rights claims of minorities. Changes affecting the Court stem from the unhappiness of political conservatives. The emerging conservative minority and its historical development are described as an aspect of regressive political and policymaking forces. (SLD)

Offers an analysis of the legal, court, and regulatory work of the Reagan and, to some extent, the Bush administrations on the issues of civil rights and affirmative action. Argues that these administrations worked to shift the views of the high court and mounted an offensive against affirmative action. (JB)