While subdued forms of everyday prejudice may seem harmless, appearances can be deceiving. Such commonplace prejudices form the foundation upon which more extreme acts of prejudice build. And they also leave us vulnerable to costly errors of judgment that can have tragic consequences. That is why addressing prejudice in the classroom is as crucial…

The Los Angeles Unified School District is experiencing a new wave of unaccompanied minor immigrants coming to its schools--some with mental health issues related to their past lives and their trek into the U.S. The district has a bevy of programs intended to help those students with their trauma, their home relationships, and their legal status.

Designing school accommodations for students with potentially life-threatening peanut allergies is a daunting challenge for schools. Parents of children with peanut allergies put a lot of pressure on schools to make them peanut-free, even though medical and legal experts say that is not a sound, or even workable, solution. One solution is to…

Suggests that to protect the privacy of participants in educational research, rules should be established promptly. The author recommends an effort by the American Educational Research Association or Phi Delta Kappa. (Author)

Presents a brief account of what is presently known about a Massachusetts case in which an associate commissioner of education was sentenced for conspiracy to defraud the state of more than $300,000 in vocational education funds. (Author/IRT)

There are no easy answers in the area of the right of free speech. The academic rights of teachers cannot be affirmed without also recognizing the rights of parents and the responsibilities of administrators. The First Amendment represents a national commitment to risk on the side of freedom. (Author/JN)

Summarizes the reasoning of a group of legal experts and reform-minded educators who discussed a recently filed suit against the San Francisco Schools. The 18-year-old plaintiff in this case is suing for one million dollars because he can't read. (JF)

Since Brown University lost its four-year court battle over athletic program equality issues, most colleges and secondary schools have learned to settle when sued under Title IX. Virginia Tech, University of Kansas, and Howard University are illustrative cases. Since nearly all high schools and colleges are vulnerable, it is wise to prepare for…

Summarizes a complex sex abuse case in a Texas district that turned on a teacher's failure to report a coach's misdeeds to the proper authorities. The appeals court, which found for the teacher, concluded that the missing ingredient was control. The child-abuse reporting statute did not empower a teacher with legal control over the coach's…

Describes the development of a graduate interdisciplinary course aimed at helping students learn enough about legal problems in higher education to become alert to potential legal problems and to refer them to counsel. (Author)

Provides advice from a legal standpoint on discipline procedures for special education students. (WD)

Describes the case of Casey Jesson, a hyperactive child ordered by the state of Hew Hampshire to ingest Ritalin or forego a public education. Despite adverse side effects and the perils of drug dependency, there is greater parental and educator acceptance of Ritalin than ever before. Scientologists are sparking an anti-Ritalin campaign. Includes…

Describes a principal's reaction to the destruction of his career resulting from unfounded sexual harassment charges. Blackballed by the educational community, he became an excellent car salesman and author of a book on parental involvement. Advice for other administrators judged "guilty by accusation" is provided. (MLH)

History reveals that drug legalization accelerates new use and contributes to a larger population of chronic users. When states energetically enforce antidrug laws and policies, illegal drug use is reduced and eliminated. Drug use is incompatible with healthy child development and learning. Legalizing drugs is the shallowest response to the…

Recent studies indicate that sexual harassment in schools is pervasive. Verbal harassment (degrading epithets, comments, and allusions) is most prevalent, but girls are also disturbed by physical manifestations. Harassing behavior affects school atmosphere and students' educational choices. Issues involving cultural diversity, free speech, false…