Like other institutions, schools are occupied by people whose duties and liberties are in conflict. Understanding the Bill of Rights can help resolve school problems as well as major social problems outside the court system. Students should value the first eight constitutional amendments as not tied to majority rule and should study them…

Washington's State Supreme Court held unconstitutional a secondary school's routine search of the luggage of all students participating in a school-sponsored overnight trip. Such general searches are not permitted, and schools can find other means of ensuring good student discipline. (PGD)

How the law deals with the question of "Should students have rights in school?" is examined. One specific area of possible rights in schools--the question of searches of students by school officials--is discussed in depth. (RM)

In the "New Jersey vs. T.L.O." decision the Supreme Court clarified the law concerning student searches. Reviews two recent California cases illustrating how courts are interpreting the Supreme Court decision in a way that upholds reasonable student searches. (MD)

Discusses Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures in terms of searches made of students and their lockers. (JF)

Argues that school administrators encounter conflicts with the Fourth Amendment when they conduct searches of high school students. Discusses the reluctance of the courts to hold school officials to Fourth Amendment standards; why the Fourth Amendment should apply nonetheless; and an analytical model of how school searches can be accomplished.…

An overview of court rulings and legislation defining student rights. (Editor/SJL)

Although problems of drug abuse, bomb threats, theft, and concealed weapons sometimes make search and seizure necessary, the student's rights must be protected through proper legal procedures. The article presents guidelines for conducting locker and personal searches and for educating students, teachers, and administrators on student rights. (DS)

Focuses on the last 15 years of privacy cases involving students. The cases examined cover the areas of searches, the family relationship, personal autonomy/appearance, and information privacy. (IRT)

In recent years, public school students have been searched with metal detectors and occasionally sniffed by dogs or strip searched. Their lockers and bookbags have been searched, and their urine has been tested for drugs--all in the name of school safety. This article explores the legal ramifications of such searches and calls for a critical…

Examines the role of the friend of the court, ("amicus curiae"), by discussing the filing of a brief in a drug testing case currently under consideration by the U.S. Supreme Court. Explores the issue of drug testing for employment; suggests possible outcomes; and provides 10 discussion questions for use with students. (KO)

Examines state and federal court decisions from 1985 to 1993 involving students' claims that their constitutional rights were violated by school officials who conducted searches without reasonable suspicion. Discusses what constitutes reasonable suspicion, information provided by student informants, and outcomes of the cases. (MLF)

Concerns over students' and staff members' safety in public schools continue to mount-- manifested in zero-tolerance policies, stringent disciplinary practices, and efforts to implement drug-screening programs. Although "reasonable suspicion" for searches and drug testing is the watchword, courts cannot agree on definitions. Legalities…

In "Acton," the Supreme Court upheld a local school board policy calling for the random, suspicionless drug testing of interscholastic student-athletes. Reviews the Court's holdings. Concludes that a drug-testing policy that is consistent with "Acton" and enjoys broad-based community support probably would be worth its expense.…

Reactions to the retirement of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and debate over the president's replacement nomination, Judge John Roberts, Jr., of the D.C. Circuit, dominated this summer's Supreme Court recess. Subsequently, after Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist's death on September 3, 2005, President Bush nominated Roberts for the chief justice…