Designed as a practical approach to the study of law, this publication offers seven lesson plans focusing on legal topics that have potential significance to high school students preparing to enter the world of work. Lesson plans address the following topics: minors and the law, automobile insurance, employment law, sports and the law, computer…

An award-winning law student article discusses the implications of a court decision concerning the legality of student searches on campus and the need for institutions to review their policies and attitudes toward increased scrutiny of student life. (MSE)

The goal of this book is to provide comprehensive and practical knowledge of relevant legal issues that affect the administration of public schools. It will allow educators to effectively perform their duties within the boundaries of constitutional, statutory, and case law. It is also designed to be easy to understand for those with little or no…

Recent appellate court decisions concerning private social clubs, unreported decisions brought by fraternities, and developments in related case law have strengthened the position that college social fraternity chapters at public colleges and universities may claim a full range of legal protections under the constitutional doctrine known as…

The almost universal doctrine of charitable immunity was traditionally justified at one time because of the altruistic nature of charities. The reasons for abolition of charitable immunity in most states have generally been two-fold: (1) charities are no longer low-budget, marginal operations; (2) the risk of crippling verdicts can be minimized…

This paper provides legal information about the role of physical conduct in student-teacher, teacher-teacher, and administrator-teacher roles. The two legal theories that pertain to physical conduct in the schools are found in Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972 and 42 U.S.C. (1983) for violations of due process and equal protection…

This book focuses on book-banning in public schools and libraries, a practice that prohibits or restricts access to books already published, distributed, and even approved by school or library boards. The major grounds for censorship are sex, profanity, and religion, but they are often intertwined to cover a broad range of "unacceptable"…

The rights of victims of crime or violence in school settings are analyzed in this book. The first chapter looks at the scope of the problem and outlines the rights already established for those accused of crimes. The second chapter focuses on efforts to make educational environments safe, including a 1982 amendment to the California Constitution.…

Teacher improvement programs must comply with federal and state constitutional requirements for due process, equal protection, and freedom of speech, as well as state and federal laws covering collective bargaining, civil rights, and the authority to institute improvement programs. This booklet explores these legal considerations, focusing on…

Legal employment test precedent cited by courts and employment-related law cited by plaintiffs during teacher certification test (TCT) decisions are discussed to determine their pertinence to test content validity issues. The two main documents involved in such litigation are the "Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures"…

Case law and the rulings of the National Labor Relations Board involving unit placement of religious faculty are reviewed. The rulings have been criticized by Roman Catholic religious orders as arbitrary, capricious, illogical, and illegal. Faculty unions wishing to exclude religious faculty from the bargaining unit have cited conflict of interest…

Educators and the public are divided over the value of implementing school-uniform policies in the public schools. This digest examines arguments for and against school-uniform policies, identifies legal considerations, and offers guidelines for implementing policies on student dress. Most parents have responded favorably to uniform policies,…

The 1978 amendments to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and their effect on college and university retirement practices are discussed. Lobbying efforts of higher education associations, an analysis of case law under ADEA prior to 1978 amendments, and major issues facing college counsel and administrators are reviewed. (MLW)

Discrepancies between court and professional association views of licensing examinations are discussed. Litigation associated with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and constitutional law is considered. Courts should examine professional standards and apply those that are consistent with the court's determination of the proper…

An Oregon court case in which American Indians disputed a state law against use of peyote for ritual practices is reviewed, and its implications for free exercise of religion on college campuses are examined. In this context, the impact of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 is also considered. (MSE)