Based on past incidents involving racial tension and student wearing apparel that displayed the Confederate flag, a South Carolina middle school prohibited clothing with the Confederate flag visible. Judge William B. Traxler Jr. ruled for the district. Advises administrators that they can regulate or ban expressive conduct by students only if…

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…

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…

Court cases regarding students' rights are little changed from previous years. The majority of the litigation relates either to clarification of existing law or to suits alleging illegal actions by school administrators and teachers. The issues of corporal punishment and freedom of expression appear to be somewhat settled. The rights of mentally…

Student protest and misconduct have frequently resulted in the suspension or expulsion of a student. This monograph examines the school's authority to suspend or expel a student, with the purpose of determining when such an action is permissible and when it is prohibited because it infringes on a student's constitutional and, sometimes, statutory…

These guidelines describe areas of concern as indicated by recent litigation, questions received from local school districts, and complaints received from parents and students. They also present, as a frame of reference, the status of current school law where and as it applies to the area of students' rights and responsibilities. The document is…