This handbook informs the reader of the provisions of the constitutions and statutes of California and the United States as they are interpreted by the courts to affect the rights and responsibilities of public school students. The first of the handbook's seven sections reviews the constitutional rights of students, their right and their duty to attend school, their right to an education, and their basic responsibilities. Section 2 concerns discipline, transfers to continuation schools, corporal punishment, student appearance codes, and smoking regulations. The third section focuses on proficiency standards, independent study, physical education options, special programs, married or pregnant students, and the exclusion of students from school. The topics of section 4 are refusal to salute the flag, student involvement in school affairs, student representation on district governing boards, and students' freedoms of expression, religion, and association. Section 5 examines the legalities of searches and seizures and considers the presence of law enforcement officers in schools. The sixth section discusses the levying or requiring of fees, deposits, and other charges, and reviews the prohibitions against sex discrimination. Section 7 covers parents' and guardians' rights to be informed of district policies affecting their children and to obtain access to their childrens' records. (PGD)