This chapter analyzes more than 200 cases reported in 1986 involving public-sector employees in elementary and secondary education. Also included, where appropriate, are relevant 1986 Supreme Court cases from outside the field of education, as well as leading cases from prior years. Legal issues covered by the review include the following: (1) discrimination in employment by race, religion, sex, national origin, age, or handicap; (2) substantive constitutional rights, including freedom of speech, association, and religion, along with issues of privacy and substantive due process; (3) procedural due process; (4) issues of dismissal, nonrenewal, demotion, and discipline (for insubordination, unprofessional conduct, immorality, or incompetence); (5) reduction in force and involuntary leaves of absence; (6) contractual disputes; (7) tenure; (8) and certification, decertification, revocation, and suspension. (TE)