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…

Critically examines and responds to the persistent argument by religionists that high school graduation prayer is somehow constitutional despite "Lee versus Weisman." Addresses the loopholes advocated and concludes that the courts have clearly rejected each of them. (183 footnotes) (MLF)

Last May, the full 11th Circuit Court upheld a school board policy in Duval County, Fla., that permits graduating senior to select a student volunteer to deliver an uncensored "message" during graduation ceremonies. Argues the title, historical context, and content of the policy clearly suggest that school officials sought a way to…

In DesRoches v Caprio, federal district court ruled in favor of Jim DesRoches who had decided not to consent to a search of his backpack for a pair of allegedly stolen sneakers. Judge Robert G. Doumar decided the need to find the stolen sneakers did not outweigh the students' privacy interest and offered guidelines about school searches for stolen…

James LaVine, a high-school junior, wrote a first-person fantasy about killing 28 people in school and then committing suicide. The district suspended him for 17 days. James and his father filed suit against the school district alleging that the emergency expulsion violated James' First Amendment rights. The District Court ruled for the LaVines…

The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees "the right of people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures" by governmental officials. In a 1985 Supreme Court decision, "New Jersey v. TLO," students' privacy rights in public schools are afforded a lower…

Argues that graduation prayer is unconstitutional because it violates the Establishment Clause, but the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment entitles a valedictorian giving a commencement speech to discuss religion and even to express religious beliefs as the student's own, private beliefs. Summarizes court decisions. (MLF)

Fragmented federal court decisions about graduation prayer and the strong public interest in this issue call for the Supreme Court to step in to clarify the law. Summarizes court decisions on this topic. (MLF)

Traces the legal history of prayer clubs and related religious activities in schools. Cites psychological arguments that high school students are generally independent and capable of critical thinking; contends that research is needed in determining whether high school students can specifically perceive religious neutrality. (MLF)

In "Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier," the Supreme Court held that school authorities did not violate students' First Amendment rights by censoring a high school newspaper. Traces the history of the decision and contends that the Court has effectively curbed the role of the school newspaper as a student voice. (MLF)

Reviews the pair of cases involving the free speech rights of public high school students; the response by legal commentators; and the court decisions in the wake of "Fraser" and "Hazelwood." (103 references) (MLF)

Because some known gang members were wearing rosaries as gang symbols, a Texas school district told two students--who were not gang members--that they could not wear rosaries outside their shirts. A federal district court ruled (Chalifoux v. New Caney Independent School District) that the district's entire gang-apparel policy was void because of…

The Federal District Court ruled in favor of the Chapel Hill, North Carolina, school board's requirement that, as a condition for graduation, each student must perform 50 hours of unpaid community service. (MLF)

Numerous students who are part of a racial minority attend schools whose mascots blatantly reinforce racism. Summarizes three federal cases that consider the appropriateness of using Confederate symbols to represent high schools; explores what these symbols mean; and examines the disruptive effects offensive mascots have on education. (34…

Summarizes court cases bearing on religion in the school setting and the use of the three-part "Lemon" test in Establishment Clause cases; and examines a Louisiana District Court decision that affirmed the action of a school principal prohibiting a religiously oriented valedictory address. (MLF)