Discusses "law-related education"--a partnership between teachers and attorneys to help young people understand and appreciate the law. (Author/IRT)

A recent Florida court decision provides an example of a textbook case of an unconstitutionl student search. The key distinction from the "New Jersey vs. TLO" case (a student search found to be constitutional) is that the teacher who searched the students had no reasonable cause. (MD)

Once a teacher can establish that conduct protected by the Constitution was the major cause of his/her dismissal, the burden of establishing another cause of termination falls on the school board. (Author/IRT)

Students may be punished for publishing articles that urge disruption or that are obscene, defamatory, malicious, or improperly invade the privacy of others. The school board should adopt a strong, clear policy that does not violate the First Amendment. (Author/IRT)

Outlines the case in which a judge held that Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Christmas assemblies were constitutional. Presents part of the school district policy on the observance of religious holidays. (IRT)

The U.S. Supreme Court, the Congress, state legislatures, and city councils can ask for divine guidance, but public schools are denied this advantage. The First Amendment was designed to protect religious minorities from oppression by a religious majority, not to protect people from religion. Tapping into a higher power would civilize, not…

Jerry Cammarata's poignant article provides a valuable opportunity to discuss the Supreme Court's wisdom in prohibiting nondenominational prayer in public schools in 1962 ("Engel v. Vitale") and to review current case law. The Constitution permits prayer chosen and spoken privately by a student, supported by family, friends, and clergy.…

One of America's best-known trial lawyers, William Kunstler, has argued passionately for defendants' constitutional rights and taught English and law at various colleges. Kunstler attributes his metamorphosis from Tom Peck bad boy to determined, lifelong student to immersion in books and ideas available in a public library annex eight blocks from…

Discusses the Supreme Court decision in Ingraham v. Wright and its effect on corporal punishment and due process in the schools. (IRT)

Outlines a case in which the school board was overly restrictive of teachers' speech. Advises boards to be aware of policies that make questionable distinctions, not to be slow in changing a questionable policy, to try to anticipate side effects of policies, and to be willing to admit error. (Author/IRT)

Provides a checklist for administrators and board members to use in examining school policy to see if it can stand legal challenges. The list covers such areas as the educational soundness, precision, fairness, and equity of educational policies. (IRT)

In a Georgia case involving a strip-searched class of fifth- graders to locate some missing money ($26), a Federal Court judge concluded the searches were unreasonable. Although students won the constitutionality battle, they lost the war over liability and injunctive relief in a subsequent decision. (MLH)

What judges are doing "with increasing boldness," in fact, is telling school people to solve their own cases instead of bringing them to court. (Author)

When considering student expulsion, it is important to keep complete records of all hearings and proceedings. Reviewed is a recent Pennsylvania court case in which a board decision to expel two students was overturned in the courts because no hearing records were kept. (MD)

Analysis of the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision in "Board of Education of Independent School District No. 92 of Pottawatomie County v. Earls," wherein the Court held that random drug testing of students taking part in extracurricular activities is constitutional. (PKP)