From year to year the types of disputes that courts are asked to settle regarding teachers and other school employees vary considerably. This variation may result in part from previous litigation that was directly related to teachers and presumably settled specific issues regarding them, has modified the apparent urgency of such litigation, or has pointed to the need for reformulating complaints. These dispute variations may also result from an expansion of public education and teacher service in general American cultural development and a new awareness of the status and rights of employees in the nation's economy. Concern about such matters as discrimination in teacher employment, collective bargaining, and due process of law in job termination may reflect the second basis of variation. This chapter, one of seven in the 1973 Yearbook of School Law, reports those court opinions that deal directly with teachers and school employees. Some of the topics covered include eligibility to teach, loyalty oaths and flag salutes, discrimination in employment, school board discretion to dismiss and discipline teachers, tenure and seniority, substantive and procedural due process rights of teachers, collective bargaining and union activity, compensation, and leaves of absence. (Author/JF)