The United States Supreme Court in Kennedy v. Bremerton Sch. Dist. held that a local school district violated the First Amendment freedom of religious expression rights when it directed an assistant football coach to stop praying on the fifty-yard line of a high school football field after each game. In finding for the high-school football coach,…

Cyberbullying has been identified by school leaders and researchers as one of the most serious adverse consequences of incorporating information technology into the classroom. This article examines the legal status of cyberbullying by conducting an analysis of selected federal appellate court opinions. This analysis identifies a set of legal…

In this technological age, the definition of private, public, and protected speech and expression for today's school employees is largely misunderstood and unclear. This article addresses the current legal standards as well as some recent case law involving teacher speech and expression and its major implications for addressing teacher online…

This article lays the foundation of American First Amendment jurisprudence in public schools and examines recent cases relating to student Internet speech. Particular emphasis is placed on the ability of schools to regulate student off-campus Internet speech. School authorities who wish to regulate nonthreatening off-campus speech in the…

Article reviews court decisions on the issue of male students' right to wear long hair styles in school. Author summarizes by suggesting probable outcomes of hair-style cases in the various states. (Editor/CB)

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)

Public school leaders often find themselves caught between groups with passionately held--but widely varying--views regarding the appropriate role for religion in public schools. Tensions are heightened by the growth of well-funded special interest groups inclined to litigate anywhere a test case arises. By reviewing the most recent judicial…

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)

Reviews the "Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier" U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding a principal's right to censor the content of a school-sponsored student publication. Explains why teachers oppose this decision, discusses liability issues, and argues for a free, uncensored student press. Includes eight legal references. (MLH)

In 1995, members of the local teachers' association sued the Colonial School District in eastern Pennsylvania regarding a policy prohibiting political activities at official polling places on school property during nonworking hours. The court decided in the teachers' favor, declaring the policy unconstitutional. Generally, teachers' partisan…

In "Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier," the Supreme Court upheld public secondary school officials' right to control the content of a school-sponsored, curriculum-based newspaper so long as their decision is "reasonably related to legitimate pedagogical concerns." This article examines education officials' responses to…

Clear guidelines for the operation of student publications are absolutely necessary. Some elements to be considered in establishing such guidelines are suggested. (Author/MLF)

Speech rights of students outside the classroom, school and underground newspapers, political speech on and off campus, and the right to hear political speakers are all treated in this article. (Editor)