Examines the reasons for the rapid intervention of courts into areas primarily an administrative decision-making process and describes those areas in which legal decisions have drastically defined and restricted the permissible scope of administrative activity in schools. (Author/RK)

Concern with school violence and efforts to reduce gang visibility at school have led to controversy about students' constitutional rights to freedom of expression. This document outlines legal precedents and offers guidelines for developing a sound school policy on dress codes. It answers the following questions: (1) Are gang clothing and symbols…

Examines a U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the Bethel, Washington, school district in disciplining a student for giving a sexually provocative speech. Cautions against a possible trend toward renewed school emphasis on dress codes and other issues of decorum. (IW)

Examines whether schools can or should restrict gang clothing and how to restrict gang clothing without infringing on students' constitutional rights. Concludes that a policy that stresses the importance of reducing distractions that inhibit learning is more likely to be found legal than a policy restricting gang communication via limitations on…

The purpose of this study was to help public school administrators, especially principals, to understand the legal and constitutional limitations of their authority in dealing with students. Control of students is discussed as five separate topics, each representing a chapter, as follows: (1) freedom of expression and First Amendment rights; (2)…

The guidelines and codes in this booklet were written to assist teachers and administrators strengthen their positions in times of legal and social confusion and in the face of challenges to administrative and staff authority. Model codes are provided for student (1) assembly, (2) dress and grooming, (3) motor vehicles, (4) search and seizure, (5)…

Court cases involving student discipline, especially in regard to student publications and dress and appearance, is the subject of this chapter. The introduction discusses the doctrine of in locus parentis, the celebrated Supreme Court case of Tinker, and the minimum essentials for enforcing rules of student conduct. The first half of the chapter…

This is a collection of paper copies of overhead transparencies that were used for a presentation on student rights and school law. The presentation covered the following topics: (1) student First Amendment rights, focusing on freedom of speech expressed through speeches, articles in student newspapers, demonstrations, T-shirts, and the…

Official policies concerning students' rights in Newfoundland and in the United States are examined, and standards of justification for students' rights are discussed. A questionnaire was sent to each school district superintendent in Newfoundland and to 100 selected superintendents in the State of Wisconsin. The response rate from Newfoundland…

The assumption of this study is that most principals do not have the time to devote to reading court cases, even though they know it is important. In day-to-day activities, the principal has continuous contact with teachers and students and enforces many school policies and regulations involving both almost daily. This handbook attempts to provide…

Designed as a general introduction to some areas of the law which directly affect teachers and students in California schools, the purpose of this handbook is to enable teachers to protect themselves in the performance of their duty and to protect their students by conveying needed information about student rights and responsibilities. Part I,…