Residential communities are a critical component of many students' experience on a college campus, especially during their first year. Residential communities have been associated with a variety of positive outcomes, including persistence, openness to diversity, satisfaction, critical thinking, and personal development (Astin, 1977 & 1993;…

In today's public secondary schools, administrators face challenges that prior generations never anticipated, one of which is the T-shirt conundrum. The T-shirts that students wear to class contain all sorts of messages and images, many of which administrators may well consider inappropriate. This article is intended to help beleaguered educators…

Reviews pertinent court cases in a discussion of how much freedom teachers have to decide how they will teach their students. Includes cases in which teacher authority was upheld and others in which it was denied. (Author/WD)

Recommends that schools consider adopting publication guidelines to help students exercise tact and restraint with regard to their First Amendment rights. Suggests that guidelines can channel enthusiasm and help clarify the limits of expression in a way that will not stifle ideas or cripple thought. (MS)

Groups that often find themselves on opposing sides of the cultural war over gay rights have bridged their divide to draft consensus guidelines designed to help public schools address sexual-orientation issues with sensitivity and respect. Representatives from the Christian Educators Association International and the Gay, Lesbian and Straight…

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…

To minimize antagonism and enhance the educational process, schools should consider adopting student publications guidelines that clearly outline the legal parameters of protected expression, the system for regulating speech, and procedures for administrative policies. (MLH)

Due to increasing attacks on school curriculum and policies, administrators must understand the law associated with education and religion. Guided by this knowledge, school leaders can foster an educational environment while simultaneously protecting individual expression. If a lawsuit occurs, an administrator can best protect both the school and…

Intended to help clarify issues surrounding the right of publicity (protection against the unauthorized commercial appropriation of a person's name, likeness, achievements or characteristics), this paper provides explanations of how the right developed, what it protects, how it has been applied in various jurisdictions around the country, and the…

Guidelines based on the American School Counselor Association's ethical codes and various social studies teaching techniques are presented for school counselors to use as they address the spiritual concerns of students. The role of the First Amendment in "spiritual" counseling in public schools and various multicultural considerations…

Discusses several defamation cases involving school executives' written or spoken statements about terminated employees' performance and qualifications. Pays special attention to lawsuits hinging on administrators' and board members' informal remarks about school employees, outlining permissible behaviors and suggesting ways to avoid defamation…

From 19th-century Protestant hegemony to today's religion-free zones, we have found no proper, constitutional role for religion and religious expression in public education. Both models are unjust and, in some cases, unconstitutional. A third model, composed of consensual guidelines, must be translated into local district policies and practices.…

A guide is presented for faculty members and administrators about circumstances in which faculty may speak freely on issues and what procedural safeguards are applicable when disciplinary actions are contemplated. Issues of contracts, interests conflicting with the state's, tests for violation of First Amendment rights, defenses, and remedies are…

Principals desiring to develop a school-uniform policy should involve parents, teachers, community leaders, and student representatives; beware restrictions on religious and political expression; provide flexibility and assistance for low-income families; implement a pilot program; align the policy with school-safety issues; and consider legal…

These guidelines are designed to help secondary school administrators and teachers set up effective journalism programs and student publication programs. Suggestions are provided for the following areas: objectives of the journalism instructional program; general guidelines; curriculum guidelines; First Amendment considerations; financial…