Traditionally, the public schools have been primarily within the domain of local administrators; however, over the past two decades, the courts have become involved more and more in decisions that affect daily operational procedures of the schools. The purpose of this paper is to examine current issues in educational law, including suspension,…

Centering around a role-play simulating the search of students suspected of possessing illegal drugs, this lesson focuses on students' rights as related to the Bill of Rights. Calls upon students to argue landmark cases involving students' rights to enhance critical thinking skills. (GEA)

School administrators sometimes face circumstances in which student searches seem necessary in order to maintain discipline and provide a safe learning environment. This publication provides an overview of recent court cases related to student searches, in an effort to help school officials anticipate and avoid legal problems while they carry out…

This publication is a revision and restructuring of "Reducing School Violence," published in 1993. This revised edition benefits from the assistance of many of the original reviewers, as well as additional experts and practitioners. The key to school safety is a comprehensive approach. This guidebook was designed to help teachers, school…

The rights of youth in New Mexico if they are arrested and accused of an illegal act are described. Emphasis is on situations they may encounter, what choices they have, and what they can do to help themselves. Although written specifically for youth in New Mexico, the book can easily be used or adapted for use with youth in other states.…

This document has four stated purposes: (1) to conform with Alaska state regulations requiring the establishment of guidelines on student rights and responsibilities; (2) to bring forth critical points of law in this area; (3) to provide examples of inappropriate policy; and (4) to provide local school districts with the criteria the state will…

This book examines the impact of a variety of court cases involving the legal rights and responsibilities of public secondary school students. Each chapter begins with a brief commentary that provides an overview of a broad area of student rights, followed by a number of short sections that focus on significant subtopics. The final section of each…

This is a collection of the major papers presented at the National Organization on Legal Problems of Education annual convention. The papers reflect the diversity and complexity of the legal issues that affect schools. Major articles include "Legal Literacy and Teacher Education," by Louis Fischer and David Schimmel; "School Finance Reform in a…

Although the Federal courts have not yet decided any cases involving search and seizure of student's property, various State courts have ruled that the Fourth Amendment protects students from "unreasonable" searches by school officials. However, the courts have generally applied a less stringent standard in justifying searches by school…

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)…

Discusses the use of regimentation and depersonalization as socializing mechanisms at an inner city junior high school. Focuses on the routine encounters of newcomers and the way such encounters force students to redefine themselves according to institutional needs and practices. (PS)

This report--part of a collection of 54 papers from the 48th annual conference of the Education Law Association held in November 2002-- discusses student drug testing in Texas public schools. It contains the results of a 2001 study of student drug-testing policies in all 1,056 Texas public-school districts. In response to the Supreme Court's June…

This digest presents a brief review of recent Fourth Amendment decisions that affect the rights of students and the parameters of schools' authority to maintain a crime-free environment. Although Federal decisions apply nationwide and do mark the boundaries of permissible state and local action, state and local laws and regulations must always be…

Legal points school officials must consider before conducting student searches are reviewed. Some courts have viewed school personnel as agents of the state, subject to all Fourth Amendment limitations. Most, however, have tended to support the doctrine of in loco parentis, permitting some searches on grounds of less than probable cause. (PP)

Various social changes have diminished the authority of school officials, deemphasized the school role, and altered the options regarding school discipline. School officials must recognize when and how they should utilize police expertise and when they must submit to police jurisdiction over student-committed crime in schools. (Author/MJL)