Examines the difficulties of teaching intellectual freedom topics to students in ALA (American Library Association)-accredited programs of library and information science, particularly the influences of sexual and racial harassment policies adopted by the universities. Weaknesses are revealed that indicate a lack of protection for teachers of…

Discuss implications for school-district student-on-student sexual harassment policies of "Davis v. Monroe County Board of Education, wherein the Supreme Court ruled that a school can be held liable for not protecting students from sexual harassment by other students. States that schools also have a moral and educational duty to prevent…

Discusses the results of a national survey of students in grades 8-11 on the extent and impact of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is prohibited under Title IX and by most state statutes. Recommends that schools establish and enforce a harassment policy, discuss harassment with students, and create a supportive school environment. (PKP)

Elementary school principals are in a key position to prevent school violence. This document reviews five publications that feature strategies administrators and teachers can use to create a safe school. In "Creating Safe Environments for Learning in North Carolina's Public Schools," Tanya M. Suarez reviews the literature on school safety and…

For many students in the 1990s, school is no longer a safe environment in which they feel free to learn. This brief is intended to dispel myths about peer sexual harassment and clarify the new realities of the phenomenon in schools. The brief also conveys the message that school administrators have a duty to foster a school environment based on…

The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear a case that might guide colleges in resolving conflict between campus policies on sexual harassment and free-speech rights. The case involved San Bernardino College (California) and a tenured professor whose explicit classroom discussions college officials felt constituted sexual harassment. An appeals…

The outcome of a student charge of faculty sexual harassment forced the University of Washington's administration and faculty to review institutional policies that protect the rights of one university group and offer little protection to another. The new procedures involve a more diverse juror panel and a third, neutral party. (Author/MSE)

When discrimination or harassment occurs, the school administration is responsible for investigating the problem and, if necessary, reporting it to appropriate authorities. Protected classes include gender, race, sexual orientation, color, age, national origin, religion, and disability. To prevent discrimination claims and ensuing negative…

A report commissioned by the U.S. Department of Education on school employees' sexual misconduct with students is drawing fire from national education groups and has attracted only qualified support from the agency itself. The report by sexual-harassment researcher Charol Shakeshaft concludes that such misconduct is "woefully understudied," but…

Educators need to be aware of sex discrimination in their schools and of the legislation that prohibits it, because it entails costs, liabilities, impact, and responsibilities for every educator. The obvious and direct costs are attorney fees, awarded damages, and settlement costs. Other, less obvious costs are unfavorable publicity, erosion of a…

This paper presents the findings of a 4-year study that examined 225 cases of alleged sexual abuse of students by teachers. Data were collected through interviews with 225 superintendents who had dealt with incidences of sexual abuse--184 in New York State and 41 in other states. An analysis of 10 of these cases included interviews with…

A federal judge has ordered the University of New Hampshire to end a professor's suspension, after ruling that his classroom comments did not amount to sexual harassment. The university had claimed the teacher violated institutional sexual-harassment policy by creating a classroom environment hostile to women. (MSE)

Some educators continue to believe that sexual harassment is not a serious problem for their students. This book presents evidence to the contrary, citing statistics from recent surveys in which four out of five students reported that they have been the target of some form of sexual harassment during school. Part 1, comprised of seven chapters,…

This booklet on sexual harassment on college campuses covers sexual harassment law, harassment prevention, protection from liability, and handling allegations. Chapter 1, "What Is Sexual Harassment?" defines the term and gives an overview of sexual harassment law. Chapter 2, "How Does Sexual Harassment Law Apply in Actual Situations?" illustrates…

Little research has been conducted on middle school conduct codes or their effect on unacceptable behavior. This paper presents findings of a study that examined the conduct codes of 59 middle schools across the United States. All of the middle school handbooks addressed unacceptable language (for example, obscenity, harassment, and profanity) in…