The "IDRA Newsletter" serves as a vehicle for communication with educators, school board members, decision-makers, parents, and the general public concerning the educational needs of all children across the United States. The focus of this issue is "Combatting Classroom Censorship." Contents include: (1) A Wolf in Sheep's…

Purpose: A significant and growing body of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) research examines the experiences of students, employees, and the substance of leadership training. This project aims to complement this work by taking a macro-level look at the broader legal and policy issues that may constrain or enhance a school…

Recent years, increasing diverse attitudes to religious education in the classroom make many private and public school face the controversy of "should religion be taught as a subject at schools?" (Kaiser, 2003; Slattery & Rapp, 2003; Wallace, Forman, Caldwell & Willis, 2003.) As a result, many administrators and teachers are making efforts in…

What is the scope of First Amendment free expression rights of public school employees and students? Following a long period with no Supreme Court rulings pertaining to public employee or student speech, the Court since 2006 has delivered significant opinions in this regard. These decisions continue the trend of narrowing the circumstances under…

Although the systems of public schools differ among Australia, South Africa and the USA, all three countries recognize that religion plays a significant role in determining values. All three countries have written constitutions but only South Africa and the USA have a Bill of Rights that protects persons' exercise of religious beliefs. In…

By considering the historical background, relevant court decisions, constitutional alternatives, and practical and political implications, this paper examines the legal issues surrounding proposals calling for prayer, Bible reading, or posting of the Ten Commandments in public schools. Historically, the secularization of public schools occurred…

The Principal's Legal Handbook contains information and recommendations for practice in four areas. Section 1, "Students and the Law," yields interesting and informative answers on a number of issues related to students and the law: recent issues in schools relative to students' rights; the use of technology; and the latest case law and…

Reviews state court decisions on the fairness and legality of charging public school students fees for a variety of school-related materials and activities. (JG)

The outcome of legal battles regarding student dress codes often depends on how the issue is characterized; words used in the code; the geographic area of the conflict; on the ideological trend of the Supreme Court and the political/social climate of the country; and judicial inactivism of the Court. Applies these variables to two Jefferson…

Examines the issue of whether public school teachers may be prohibited from wearing religious apparel. Addresses the fundamental distinction between the elementary school setting and the high school setting. Claims the application of garb laws in the context of the public high schools is unconstitutional. (134 footnotes) (MLF)

Among types of school choice plans, most important distinction is between plans within preexisting public schools and plans that provide opportunities for students to move, at government expense, into otherwise private schools. Discusses five developments that have moved different but overlapping constituencies behind school choice. Discusses role…

In "Zobrest" and "Kiryas Joel" the Supreme Court considered the relationship between public and private school systems, and between church and state. Examines the situations of the cases and the opinions of the Supreme Court Justices in relation to them, and in relation to the 15 most recent Establishment Clause cases affecting…

Religious rights of teachers are affected in three primary areas of activities: (1) outside the school environment; (2) inside the school environment; and (3) inside the classroom. These issues are examined from the perspective of the constitutional principles involved. (MLF)

The United States Supreme Court has refused to articulate a hierarchy among the guarantees of speech, press, assembly, and petition. The Court also has avoided specifying whether expression rights or safeguards against religious establishment are dominant. Addresses litigation indicating that free speech protections prevail when they collide with…

In "Barrow" the 5th Circuit erected a very high burden of proof for school districts to show that policies requiring employees to live within the district are necessary to sustain public confidence in public schools. (Author/MLF)