School boards may permit incumbent teacher unions access to mailboxes while prohibiting rival unions such access. Dissenting justices argued that exclusive access is discrimination and amounts to censorship and infringement of the First Amendment. School boards should consider carefully before granting exclusive access to incumbent unions. (PB)

Within Australia's complex labor relations system, federal law has gradually become dominant over state law. In the 1990s, the Australian High Court broadened workers' entitlements. In a 1995 case, teachers have become pivotal in the new industrial relations system. The federal law becomes more significant for unions and their members in seeking…

The authors state their book's main purpose is to assist teachers to become "legally literate." The reviewers describe the book as a wide-ranging, narrative approach to teachers' legal rights. However, those who want an indepth and technical discussion on substantive and procedural issues are advised to look elsewhere. (MLF)

When performance problems arise with a tenured teacher, the principal has the following obligations: (1) determine the extent and cause of the problems; (2) devise a remediation strategy; (3) respect the teacher's due process rights; and (4) maintain written documentation. (MLF)

Bargaining in Catholic schools is fraught with complex issues. Two cases, "New York State Employment Relations Board v Christ the King Regional High School" and "South Jersey Catholic School Teachers Organization v St. Teresa of the Infant Jesus Elementary School," may help balance teachers' labor rights and theological…

This booklet presents information on Education International, a group that promotes teacher rights, trade union rights (including teacher unions), fair teaching conditions, and equal education for all people. The booklet includes information on the following: the Education International executive board (name, address, telephone, fax, and e-mail);…

Notes that increasing support for denominational education in Canada challenges educators to examine the issue before serious conflict reaches the courts. Notes that denominational education is affecting teachers' professionalism and human rights. Explains that because existing court judgments are contradictory, conflict resolution is better…

Administrators must understand the type of evidence called for in a teacher dismissal hearing and set up procedures for gathering the evidence. Offers guidelines on the following sources of evidence: (1) school records; (2) evaluations; (3) recordings; (4) eyewitness accounts; (5) photographs; (6) policies and rules; and (7) direct testimony. (MLF)

Typical district contracts often impede professionalism and superior school performance. Boston's "Pilot Schools" and Baltimore's contract public schools represent isolated reform efforts. Streamlined master contracts and school-based compacts seem promising. Reform requires enabling changes in legislation, school authority, shared…

This discussion of child abuse in children with disabilities focuses on teachers' rights and responsibilities for reporting abuse and the need to overcome barriers to reporting abuse. Recommendations to protect teachers from unwarranted allegations of abuse are also given, including creating an open classroom environment, distinguishing between…

How should schools treat unruly children? Answers to this question are offered, with a focus on children's rights and the abolition of corporal punishment in Britain. The case for children's rights in isolation is not promoted, but rather within the context of the rights and the responsibilities of pupils, teachers, and parents. The discussion…

Reviews the 1974 statement on academic freedom of the National Council for the Social Studies and offers a rationale for maintaining academic freedom. Reviews recent censorship threats, the "climate of restriction" which pervades textbooks and teaching, and teachers' reasons for self-censorship. (JDH)

Discusses the confusion on issues of teacher roles and collective bargaining resulting from the court case, "National Labor Relations Board v. Yeshiva University." Presents the possible implications from the perspective of teachers as well as administration. Outlines the "Toledo Plan," an Ohio program where a teacher governance…

Outlines a discussion between Albert Shanker, president of the American Federation of Teachers, and Wes Apker, executive director of the Association of California School Administrators, that centered on the status of collective bargaining in the schools. (MD)

Offers five personal views of censorship that were developed as a result of teaching English and fighting censorship. (HOD)