Public officials are required to prove actual malice before they can win damages in libel actions. Reviews the Supreme Court's decisions regarding public persons and teachers and lower courts' conflicting rulings that teachers are public officials and that teachers are not public officials. (MLF)

Provides a brief history of the Supreme Court's pivotal decisions on public school desegregation. Reviews the Court's decisions in "Board of Education v. Dowell" and "Freeman v. Pitts." Provides an analysis of "Freeman" and its effect on public school desegregation law. (68 footnotes) (MLF)

The Handicapped Children's Protection Act of 1986 authorizes courts to award attorneys' fees to handicapped children. Examines Supreme Court's decisions and the history of the act, then analyzes the innovative features of its attorneys' fees provisions. (MLF)

In "Crockett v. Sorenson" a voluntary public school Bible class was found unconstitutional because of sectarian control of the program, and guidelines for a constitutional Bible course were suggested. "May v. Cooperman" ruled against the constitutionality of the moment of silence, a question not yet addressed by the Supreme…

Interviews with Ruby Bridges Hall, Ronald Deskins, and Carlotta Walls LaNier, who were among those charged with integrating public schools after the Supreme Court's "Brown" decision. Thirty-some years later, they reflect on how far they think desegregation and American's attitudes toward racism have come in the ensuing years. (MLF)

Traces the history of "The Pledge of Allegiance" litigation and discusses the probability the Supreme Court will agree to resolve the difference in judicial opinion over the constitutionality of including the words "under God" in the pledge. (Contains 32 references.) (MLF)

Explores the opinions of Justice Rehnquist in issues concerning religion and public education; observes that the Supreme Court appears just one vote away from shifting church/state issues to the local level; and urges those concerned with constitutional values and public education to reexamine the Bill of Rights. (MLF)

The Supreme Court in "Lamb's Chapel" unanimously reversed federal district and court of appeals decisions that had upheld school district rules prohibiting use of school district property "by any group for religious purposes." Discusses three issues within the context of religious speech: establishment of religion, free speech,…

In "United States v.Lopez," a highly fractured United States Supreme Court, in a five-to-four ruling that generated six different opinions, affirmed that Congress had exceeded its authority in adopting the Gun-Free School Zones Act. Provides an in-depth examination of the Court's ruling and concludes with an analysis of the legal issues…

Examines key legal tensions flowing from the return of organized student-sponsored prayer to public schools. Claims that political "conservatism" has subordinated individual liberty to the unwarranted power of the federal government. (19 references) (MLF)

In "Lambs Chapel," the Supreme Court struck down a complete prohibition against afterhours use of public schools by religious groups. Summarizes lower court decisions, and then the opinions of Justices White, Scalia, and Kennedy. Examines the Court's consensus about protecting religious perspectives under the Free Speech Clause and the…

The Supreme Court's ruling in "Missouri versus Jenkins" signalled a further retrenchment in the struggle to end racial segregation in the schools. The majority held that the federal district court exceeded the bounds of its broad discretion in its mandated desegregation remedy. Reviews the Court's holding in detail and reflects on the…

In "Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier," the Supreme Court ruled that school authorities could control a student newspaper. This article summarizes the facts surrounding "Hazelwood," and outlines the lower court decisions, the conflicting views of the Court justices, the questions it leaves unresolved, and its implications…

Discussed the influence that Supreme Court decisions had on various religions and proposed what could be done to change those decisions. (RK)

Argues that the Supreme Court has two definitions of religion and that secularism qualifies under one of them, that public schools foster secularism, and that separation of church and state should be replaced by court approval of "religious balance." Available from J. Reuben Clark Law School, Provo, UT 84602. (Author/IRT)