Since 1980, the Supreme Court has declined to grant review of any cases challenging voluntary affirmative action. The debate about its constitutionality, and about quotas, goals, timetables and other specific practices, thus seems destined to be heard only in public and political forums. (Author/GC)

The Yearbook of Education Law contains analyses of the previous year's federal and state court decisions that affect private and public elementary and secondary schools and higher education. The Yearbook provides summaries and analyses of relevant state appellate and federal trial and appellate court cases. Contents include: (1) Employees; (2)…

Public schools, since their founding in America in 1647, have reflected the demographic characteristics of the communities in which they are located. Because the United States has, until recently, been mostly Protestant Christian, many schooling practices have built upon the values of this faith. Pupils have sung Christmas songs at Christmas…

This article reviews federal case law that address a college instructor's right to academic freedom over classroom activities. This review shows that the federal courts have defined a college instructor's academic freedom rights narrowly in terms of the instructor's classroom activities. Institutions have a great deal of latitude to regulate an…

The implications and shortcomings of court rulings on negligence in libel laws are explored in this paper. The paper first discusses the particulars of the 1974 landmark "Gertz versus Robert Welch, Inc." United States Supreme Court case, in which the court ruled that private persons as well as public figures would be required to prove…

Punitive damages have been permitted in certain cases to deter wrongdoers from similar conduct in the future. The Supreme Court decision in the case of "Smith vs. Wade" set the standard for the award of punitive damages by permitting punitive award on varying standards of negligence, gross negligence, recklessness, or other culpable…

The status as of October 9, 1986 of higher education-related Supreme Court litigation is outlined concerning: accreditation, affirmative action, asbestos, bar examinations, collective bargaining, creationism, racial discrimination, infectious disease, liquor sales, pensions, pregnancy benefits, revocation of degree, sexual harassment, and student…

Reviewed are the most significant legal issues affecting labor relations in education. Concerns involving agency shop, duty of fair representation, impasse arbitration, tenure, and curriculum (what it should or should not contain) are summarized. (MD)

Discusses the comparable worth theory, which holds that women should receive compensation equal to men's for work requiring similar skills, responsibility, and effort. Reviews the Supreme Court decision in County of Washington v. Gunther, which concerns Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and sex discrimination where jobs are unequal. (Author/RW)

Examines the Supreme Court's action in a racial discrimination case "Patterson v. McLean Credit Union"; the reexamining of "Runyon v. McCrary"; and the current interpretation by the Court of a major Reconstruction-era civil rights law. Perceives a distinct shift in the Court toward conservative interpretations of civil rights…

The United States Supreme Court recently rendered a decision in the "Collins v. City of Harker Heights" case, which addressed the liability of public entities for alleged "constitutional torts." Discusses the precursors of "Collins," analyzes the decision itself, and discusses the various elements that must be…

Reviews the Supreme Court's decision in "Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education" affirming court-ordered desegregation to remedy government-sanctioned desegregation. Discusses decision by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals that ended federal court supervision of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District's efforts to achieve…

In September, Oxford University Press published "Not a Suicide Pact: The Constitution in a Time of National Emergency," written by Richard Posner, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Judge Posner's book, which explores how people might strike a balance between constitutionally protected liberties and security concerns…

Jesse Vail sued an Illinois board of education in federal court over a contract dispute. The court awarded Vail damages, the decision was upheld on appeal, and the U.S. Supreme Court will be reviewing the decision in 1984. (MD)

The ramifications of the judicial demand that the Federal Communications Commission "articulate with reasonable clarity its reasons for decision" are explored through recent court decisions. (JMF)