Presently, charter schools exist in 43 states. The Minnesota Legislature first created charter schools in the United States in 1991. As of 2018, there were nearly 7,000 charter schools in 43 states serving over approximately 3 million students. The creation, control, and mission of these schools varies from state to state. This analysis examines…

In the fifty years since Congress assumed the provision of financial assistance to schools in which students had "federal connection," such as American Indian students living on reservations or in public housing, this federal assistance came to be regarded as a replacement for state funding, not as supplemental funding. This study…

Public education funding in the past 40 years has increased significantly, with parties turning to the judiciary in order to address perceived educational opportunity inequities arising from state education finance distribution formulas. As the 21st century opens, the question of public education finance is set squarely before the courts. This…

Courts are being asked to determine the legality, according to state constitutions, of various methodologies of financing public education. The first of two articles addresses finance issues raised in five selected states during the last three years. (18 notes) (MLF)

Discusses areas that have provided the bulk of negligence claims against public school districts while transporting students: (1) bus stop locations, (2) duration of responsibility, (3) school bus boarding supervision, (4) driving a bus negligently, (5) driver violations, and (6) inadequate supervision during transit. Appended are 19 notes. (MLF)

Reviews court decisions involving challenges to state systems of financing education. The challenges have been based on Fourteenth Amendment rights to equal protection. To date 24 states have been involved with litigation. Systems that promote local control have been generally held to be constitutional. (42 references) (MD)

Analyzing the United States Supreme Court decision in "Mueller v. Allen" declaring that certain forms of tuition tax credit are not unconstitutional, the author points out that school administrators should monitor legislative activities and be active in state policymaking or the future may hold larger tax credits and direct financial…

Reviews the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in "Brown v. Board of Education" (1954) and examines key ongoing issues in school segregation. "Brown II" (1955), which addressed remedies, mandated neither a timetable nor an immediate eradication of school segregation. Because of its focus on equal education opportunities,…

The second of two articles addresses recent school finance litigation raised in five states. These decisions appear to have strengthened the concept of education as a state responsibility, so much so that the likelihood of significant reversal toward increased local autonomy appears to be improbable. (MLF)

In "Kadrmas v. Dickinson," suit was brought challenging the constitutionality of a North Dakota statute allowing certain public school districts to charge user fees for transporting students. In 1988, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution does not require states to offer such services. The decision seriously erodes equal…

Reviews the Equal Access Act of 1984 presenting the two major requirements of the act. Discusses the issues raised (in relation to the definition of what constitutes a public forum) in the Pennsylvania case "Student Coalition v. Lower Merion School District." Includes options for schools to consider when establishing "open" or…

This chapter provides an overview of academic freedom and tenure as applied to the community college.

In "Huber v. Franklin County School Board of Trustees," the Indiana Supreme Court has upheld the validity of state statutes concerning public lawsuits that involve public facility construction. Forcing the consolidation of similar issues into one suit protects taxpayers from lengthy and expensive legal battles. (MLF)

A number of cases have been litigated challenging the basic administrative right of a board of education to close a school. The suits are discussed based on the nature of the challenge against the school board. (MLF)

Examines and addresses the major issues involved in school districts voluntarily filing for protection under the control and supervision of Chapter 9 of the Federal Bankruptcy Act. Discusses legal and managerial alternatives and examines the most recent Supreme Court ruling regarding the rejection of collective bargaining contracts under the act.…