Continuing court cases predating the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (1975) raise questions about the need for judicial implementation of legally required educational services for the disabled. "Implementation analysis" of more recent cases suggests that courts will continue to be involved and can facilitate the implementation…

There has been little litigation since the Family Medical Leave Act's inception in 1993. This article highlights FMLA's scope of coverage, leave requirements, notice and verification, special rules for employees and local education agencies, employment and leave entitlements, and enforcement. Employers violating the FMLA may have to reinstate and…

This article examines the eligibility requirements and outlines the procedures for applying for legalization under the new Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. The law as Congress passed it is a liberal one, but there is still room for flexibility in the interpretation of the regulations. (Author/VM)

By signing a Consent Decree in March 1996, the Los Angeles Unified School District admitted its system had serious problems in delivering special-education services to over 65,000 students and agreed to correct the problems in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This article explains how districts can incorporate…

Educators concerned about school safety have resorted to searching students, their lockers, and their possessions. These searches have led to litigation over whether the Fourth Amendment's prohibition of unreasonable searches and seizures applies to public schools. Although courts have upheld reasonable searches, administrators should carefully…

Examines value-added student achievement levels of 74 school districts named as litigants in "Tennessee v. Small School Systems v. McWherter" and compares them with those of 64 nonlitigating districts. Although litigant districts have achieved greater fiscal equity, student achievement has not significantly improved. (Contains 11…

Research suggests that federal legislation to resolve educational issues may be unrealistic and unworkable in practice. Parents and school officials accustomed to controlling educational decision making do not appreciate policy imposition from a distant bureaucracy; responses to policy may produce unequal or unfair outcomes when implemented at the…

The Education for All Handicapped Children Act mandates a free and appropriate education for all handicapped children between the ages of 3-18 (to be extended to 3-21 by 1981). The premises upon which the act was formulated as well as its provisions are described. (RL)

Looks at the general legal entitlements of preschool handicapped children. Discusses school districts' responsibilities regarding accepting applications for service; evaluating the child; and devising a placement. Concludes with a discussion of legal remedies available when school districts fail to comply with their duties. (MLF)

Discusses the significance of the shift in federal educational policies marked by the adoption of the block grant approach to federal aid in Chapter 2 of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act. Reviews several general findings of case studies of the first year of Chapter 2 grant implementation. (PGD)