Reviews a recent case that exhibits the mistakes that can be made when teachers, school boards, and administrators fail to understand that teacher tenure is not a guarantee of employment but does guarantee that procedural and statutory protections will apply in any termination process. (PGD)

Illustrating the conflict surrounding teacher evaluation, two recent court cases are reviewed. The author draws three conclusions: follow rules closely in teacher termination proceedings, make sure evaluation requirements are met in incompetency terminations, and give teachers an opportunity for improvement. (MD)

Explores the legal ramifications of student retention, citing several court cases from the last several years. Concludes that courts have generally steered away from academic issues except where a school has acted in an arbitrary, capricious, or discriminatory manner. (Author/WD)

Discusses previous litigation relevant to the case of a child suffering from "spina bifida" whose parents have brought suit against a Texas school district for failing to include catheterization in the child's individual education program. (Author/WD)

Presents two cases of on-campus student injuries caused by other students; school administrators' responses to the cases can help them to evaluate their understanding of liability for school security. School safety is in a state of flux, and courts are reflecting a change in public perception of the duty that schools owe students. (MD)

Reviews key Supreme Court decisions on free speech rights of public employees. Advises school administrators to be vigilant in discipline or dismissal cases where freedom of speech is an issue. (MD)

Discusses recent sex discrimination cases by women seeking administrative positions. Points out that women plaintiffs alleging sex bias in such cases have a difficult time proving discrimination. (MD)

Two recent federal court decisions side with school authorities. In both cases the judges held the plaintiffs liable for the attorney fees of the defendants. The author comments that this may reflect a partial changing of the federal courts' attitude, yet cautions schools to remain vigilant of student rights. (MD)

A superintendent's decision to stop presentation of a high school play was upheld by the court over a challenge that the students' First Amendment right of expression had been unconstitutionally abridged. The case has implications for other cases involving student First Amendment claims. (MLF)

Examines the case of Thompson v Southwest School District in which a teacher was dismissed for allegedly immoral behavior. The court found that the behavior did not have a deleterious impact on the teacher's ability to teach. (IRT)

Removal of school library books is again an issue in the courts. In a 1993 Kansas City case involving the superintendent's removal of "Annie on My Mind" from several school libraries, the federal court found that school officials' motivation violated the First Amendment. Administrators must resist the temptation to quell controversy by…

Camille Sanders, a Michigan assistant principal transferred to a teaching position, sued the district and lost. The appeals court reversed the decision, claiming the district hadn't properly notified Sanders of her original contract's nonrenewal. Similar cases in three other states are discussed. State statutes may not adequately protect…

Principals still are not differentiated from teachers under the law of many states, even though their duties and responsibilities differ. This situation has begun to change as a result of court action by principals at the state level, which is discussed in this paper. Although administrative tenure is rare, it presents special problems when…

Outlines two legal cases involving letters of reprimand written by administrators and put in teachers' files. Shows how in these cases the letters did not constitute defamation or a violation of First or Fourteenth Amendment rights. (MD)

The U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision in New Jersey vs. T.L.O. suggests the legality of student searches by school officials should not depend on strict adherence to the probable cause standard, but on its reasonableness of suspicion and scope. (DCS)