Due process in school is an educational process for teaching the students that they are valued, that authority exists, and they they belong in the social unit. Historically, due process emerged as a way of guaranteeing rights and the privileges of governmental protection to a wider range of people in English and American institutions. The…

School personnel need to learn about the outcomes of controversial education cases. Research on school law knowledge indicates that teachers and students would benefit from learning the basic principles of school law. (six references) (MLF)

Discusses current trends in court assessments of school rules that specify discipline for possession or use of proscribed substances or articles. (MCG)

A Georgia school district standardized discipline procedures, codified offenses, and published the results in booklet form. A clear hierarchy of offenses specifies problems to be handled at the local school, at formal hearings, or at a special disciplinary committee. Students know what to expect, and administrators know how to proceed. (MLF)

An edited version of federal district court Judge William O. Bertelsman's opinion in "Bahr vs. Jenkins" reveals his thinking on the courts' self-restraint in cases affecting school administrators' authority when disciplining students. The opinion also discusses, in an informal style, the rights and responsibilities of parties in such…

This review of law and schooling focuses on student rights and the tort liability of educators. Federal legislation on special education and copyright is briefly mentioned. A bibliography on these topics is appended. (SJL)

This guide to student disciplinary hearings provides an understanding of procedures and options during the student suspension or expulsion process through the perspectives of the different participants. Section 1, "Why Hearings?" discusses due process and the three categories of student disciplinary hearings: pre-suspension, suspension, and…

A review of court opinions on school discipline suggests that the use of academic penalties as a sanction for student misconduct is widespread and increasing. In 12 cases during the past decade examined in this chapter, students won 5 and lost 7. In challenges of school board policies that assess academic penalties for truancy, students won in…

A review of court decisions indicates that schools may consider absence from class as a factor in overall academic evaluation and may impose academic penalties for absences due to truancy, suspension, or expulsion. However, academic penalties may not be imposed for misconduct that does not result in absence from class. (MLF)

This guide is a supplement to the 1996 edition of "Texas School Law: A Practical Guide." It addresses four topics: real-estate issues relating to school districts and colleges, student-discipline law, education of children with disabilities, and sexual abuse or harassment of students. The first section examines legal changes in the realm…

Although problems of drug abuse, bomb threats, theft, and concealed weapons sometimes make search and seizure necessary, the student's rights must be protected through proper legal procedures. The article presents guidelines for conducting locker and personal searches and for educating students, teachers, and administrators on student rights. (DS)

Explores the current status of federal special education law as it relates to discipline for students with disabilities in public schools. Designed to help local school administrators be equipped to successfully implement school discipline while being in compliance with the regulations' mandates. (Contains 19 references.) (MLF)

Any restrictions on student dress must have a legitimate educational rationale. Standards of attire for school employees are also permissible. A dress-code policy that calls for reasonable restrictions and is enforced with common sense can create a better school environment. Restrictive measures can lead to costly lawsuits. Cites advantages of…

Discusses two cases in which federal courts stretched the boundaries of students' constitutional protection to void decisions it saw as palpably unfair. Suggests that the concepts of law and legalization instilled in educators can easily lead them astray. (MLF)

The Supreme Court ruled that school officials could not make a unilateral decision to keep a special education student out of school for more than 10 days. However, it gives officials an opportunity to reach lawful agreements with the student's parents or with a court to change the child's placement. (MLF)