It is important that schools have written policies governing the administration of drugs during school hours. Moreover, this policy should be in effect before teachers and other employees are asked to begin administering medicines to students. (Author)

Examines board policies requiring that students have their grades reduced for missing classes, misbehaving, and commiting similar infractions. Concludes that such policies are constitutional if they are reasonable and fair and are applied in an even-handed manner. (Author/IRT)

A termination of teacher employment issue--nonreappointment--is considered and a board procedure recommended for those occasions when a teacher is not to be reappointed. The code is made up of sections that are followed by comments that explain or clarify their intent. (Author/MLF)

Although school boards have the authority to order a teacher to undergo a medical examination, the board's concern should be only with the teacher's fitness. Policy guidelines are offered that protect a teacher's right to due process. (MLF)

Examines recent federal decisions establishing that a school system may not use its normal disciplinary procedures to exclude a handicapped child except for short-term, emergency suspensions. Guides local school boards in drawing up written procedures to govern the suspension and expulsion of handicapped students. (Author/MLF)

The only way to cope with the plethora of federal and State laws and regulations is to collect and categorize it in a systematic way and to integrate it with carefully developed local board policies and regulations on the major areas of school operation. Outlines a procedure for doing that job. (Author/JF)

Administering medication exposes school boards and employees to liability for civil damages should the medication cause harm. Points out some of the risks associated with a school undertaking to administer medicine to students and offers suggestions on the contents of a written medication policy to help control those risks. (MLF)

Citing examples of research projects conducted within school systems using students as subjects, it is suggested that such research raises important issues of educational policy. Recommends that school boards establish systemwide standards for judging research proposals and makes suggestions on the content of such policies. Guidelines are…

Establishes a four-step analysis to help determine whether a particular violation of federal rights is caused by official policy or custom, thus making the school board liable in suits filed under federal statute 42 U.S.C., Section 1983. Discusses three landmark Supreme Court cases. (Author/WD)

The Supreme Court affirmed in "Mergens" that the Equal Access Act represents a legislative determination that secondary school students are mature enough to be exposed to an open forum. However, schools can either recognize noncurriculum-related groups, restrict student groups to curriculum-related activities, abolish student clubs, or…

Examines a group of cases showing there are few restraints on a board of education's right to hire and reappoint only the best teachers and administrators. A board's decision not to renew the contract of an "average" teacher in order to look for a better teacher will stand. (MLF)

Describes some of the features of North Carolina's communicable-disease laws and regulations focusing on the problem of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that is the cause of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Addresses students and HIV, employees and HIV, and confidentiality. (MLF)

Discusses (1) whether school facilities should be available for nonschool activities--and if so, to which outside groups; (2) whether outside speakers should be allowed to address a student audience--and if so, which ones; and (3) whether outsiders should be allowed to distribute literature to students. (Author/MLF)

Addresses the authority of school officials to regulate student dress by examining school dress codes, first with respect to communicative dress--or dress that communicates speech--and then with respect to noncommunicative dress. Provides a summary of the law on dress codes and a basic set of rules to assist school officials in drafting…