The U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision in New Jersey vs. T.L.O. suggests the legality of student searches by school officials should not depend on strict adherence to the probable cause standard, but on its reasonableness of suspicion and scope. (DCS)

Provides educators with scenarios or hypothetical fact patterns depicting issues that have potential for litigation. (Author)

The Fourth Amendment search and seizure law is one of the most technical and difficult areas in all of law to understand. Some Fourth Amendment Supreme Court cases are discussed. (RM)

Reviews the United States Supreme Court's findings in "New Jersey vs. T.L.O.," a case hinging on the reasonableness of a school official's search of a student's purse. Cites several issues that remained unresolved after the decision and argues that the court could have been more helpful. (PGD)

Discusses how the constitutional prohibition of unreasonable search and seizure applies to searches of students and their property by school officials, as indicated by recent court decisions. Most of the cases examined were decided by state courts, since federal courts have not generally been involved in this area. (JG)

Like other institutions, schools are occupied by people whose duties and liberties are in conflict. Understanding the Bill of Rights can help resolve school problems as well as major social problems outside the court system. Students should value the first eight constitutional amendments as not tied to majority rule and should study them…

Focuses on the last 15 years of privacy cases involving students. The cases examined cover the areas of searches, the family relationship, personal autonomy/appearance, and information privacy. (IRT)

Public concern about substance abuse, fueled by political and media attention, is causing school administrators to consider a variety of approaches beyond traditional drug education. No procedures, methods, or rules regarding drug testing should be established in the absence of clear school board policy, and no policy decisions should be made…

The present state of litigation on search and seizure will permit the warrantless search of a school locker by a school official who has reasonable suspicion that it contains something illegal, if he acts without the intrusion of the police. From the first and last search cases cited herein, it is abundantly clear that school officials exceed…

Students do not leave their constitutional rights at the boundary of the school grounds. We would never send anyone to prison without a trial; to a lesser degree, expulsions and suspensions are in the same category. Your due process procedures should at least give a student (1) notice of the charges, (2) opportunity to be heard, and (3)…

Discusses some of the primary questions raised by school security operations and suggests ways for school administrators to successfully deal with those questions within the context of school security and educational goals. Available from Security World Magazine, P.O. Box 272, Culver City, California 90230, single copy $2.00. (Author/JG)

A sample student code developed by the Phi Delta Kappan Commission of Administrative Behaviors Supportive of Human Rights. (DW)

The issue of search and seizure in the public schools is clouded by conflicting legal decisions. School policies and rules on the issue should be made only after considerable deliberation and community input. Because of the lack of clarity, this model of search and seizure policy and rules is intended only as a basis for consideration of the…

Focuses on the recent application and interpretation of the Fourth Amendment to school children. Discusses the amendment in regard to the relationship between school authorities and children, students' legitimate expectation of privacy, reasonableness in justification of a search, issues of mass mandatory screening, and requirements of due process…

With the alarming increase in drugs and weapons on American school campuses, teachers and school officials have stepped up their efforts to search lockers, other school property, and sometimes the students themselves. School officials must remember that any search of a student creates a Fourth Amendment issue. Thus, it is important to know the…