Outlines the case in which a judge held that Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Christmas assemblies were constitutional. Presents part of the school district policy on the observance of religious holidays. (IRT)

The Supreme Court has issued only one decision on a case involving the rights of public school students to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. The Court's decision, while resolving the crucial issue of the appropriate standard for assessing student searches, left a number of important questions wholly unanswered. (IAH)

Excerpts from Supreme Court opinions on legal standards for federal affirmative action programs include those from the majority opinion by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, a concurring opinion by Justice Antonin Scalia, and a dissenting opinion by Justice John Paul Stevens. (MSE)

Examines five legal questions concerning the Internet: constitutional protection in cyberspace from defamatory speech, evasion of laws, accountability for offensive expression, pornography, and digital theft. A sidebar discusses the employment of user-rated Internet sites and software to scan and filter offensive material. (JMV)

Offers classroom activities for instructing middle school students about religious diversity in the United States. Incorporates a poster that invites student speculation about the Amish lifestyle. Suggests having students examine what they know about U.S. religions and what life would be like without religious freedom. (SG)

Reports findings of a survey suggesting that Edmonton, Alberta residents favor a referendum before any changes are made in Canada's constitution. Explains changes proposed by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. Examines plans for House of Commons reform, aboriginal self-government, economic union for Canada, worker training, immigration, and other…

A federal district judge ruled that a state university may not discipline students by infringing on their right to freedom of speech based on an activity's perceived offensive content. The case involved a George Mason University (Virginia) fraternity contest that the administration felt was racist. (MSE)

The U.S. Supreme Court, the Congress, state legislatures, and city councils can ask for divine guidance, but public schools are denied this advantage. The First Amendment was designed to protect religious minorities from oppression by a religious majority, not to protect people from religion. Tapping into a higher power would civilize, not…

Jerry Cammarata's poignant article provides a valuable opportunity to discuss the Supreme Court's wisdom in prohibiting nondenominational prayer in public schools in 1962 ("Engel v. Vitale") and to review current case law. The Constitution permits prayer chosen and spoken privately by a student, supported by family, friends, and clergy.…

Demonstrates that the ruling in "Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama v. Garrett, " a case involving an Americans with Disabilities Title I suit, made it more problematic than ever that Congress will be able to deploy Section 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment to abrogate state judicial immunity. Evaluates surviving options for…

Introduces the following Counterpoint article on "Ex Corde Ecclesiae" ("From the Heart of the Church"), a document issued by Pope Paul VI in 1990 that provided guidelines for the operation of Roman Catholic colleges and universities. (PKP)

School leaders must recognize and respect the freedom of expression rights of students within reasonable limits, but they may restrict student expression that creates material and substantial disruption to the educational process. The challenge for school leaders is to achieve the proper balance between the rights of students and the needs of…

The looming expiration of the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) has prompted a flood of commission reports, studies, and punditry. Virtually all of those analyses have assumed that the law should and will be reauthorized, disagreeing only over how it should be revised. They have accepted the law's premises without argument: that…

Fiscal federalism can be an important complement to structural reforms and budget consolidation. Empowering sub national governments, while at the same time making them accountable to local citizens in the uses of tax money, could improve the allocation of public resources and promote catch up of the lagging regions. Italy has launched itself in…

When the Supreme Court pronounces on race and education it makes headlines. On 28 June 2007 the Supreme Court revealed its long-anticipated decisions on "Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No. 1 and "Meredith v. Jefferson County," proving that maneuvering the minefield of America's race relations is just as difficult…