Advocates embrace high-tech security measures as necessary to avoid Columbine-style massacres. Critics contend that school systems can go overboard, making students feel less safe and too closely scrutinized. Current electronic, biometric, and computer-mapping devices and school applications are discussed. Vendors are listed. (MLH)

Discusses Oklahoma case ("Owasso Independent School District No. 1-001 v. Falvo") wherein the Supreme Court ruled unanimously in February 2002 that peer grading did not violate the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). (PKP)

School-based health clinics can be effective, but they are not easy to establish and operate. Provides a list of areas to consider when establishing such a clinic. Important considerations are liability, accountability, confidentiality, informed consent, and parental involvement. (MD)

Natural disasters, violent confrontations, and other crises will bring in police or firefighters, followed quickly by the press and the public. School officials should respond carefully and appropriately. Solutions (and examples from California law) pertaining to privacy rights, workplace safety, sex offenders, background checks, and communication…

In a case from Oklahoma-"Falvo v. Owasso Independent School District," the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Family Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prohibits the practice of directing students to grade one another's assignments. Students are not education professionals; only teachers should grade student work. (MLH)

Increasing numbers of school employees are stumbling and/or crashing and burning on the Internet superhighway. Employees should understand that their e-mail and Internet accounts are not really theirs or private, since their employer pays for access for work purposes. Storing, sending, or forwarding inappropriate messages is verboten. (MLH)

Urges policymakers to examine and update their school system's child abuse reporting policy. Such policies must be adequate to help endangered children, protect their right to privacy, and avoid overprotection. Advises on ways to protect staff against unnecessary accusations and develop inservice training programs discussing child abuse, state…

The pros and cons of financial disclosure laws of varying strictness and their effects on school board members are discussed. Recent trends are noted and a tabulation is provided of the statutory requirements concerning disclosure of personal finances and campaign contributions in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. (PGD)

Teachers should examine classroom questions, assignments, and activities to determine if any of them actually violate rights of student and family privacy. Lists an example of classroom questions that signal possible invasion of privacy, and guidelines for invasion of privacy charges. (MLF)

The national attitude about the confidentiality of juvenile criminal records is changing. Between 1992 and 1995, legislatures in 13 states ordered notification of juvenile offenses be given to schools. Many in the school community laud these new school notification laws as a way to protect teachers and other students from potentially violent…

Interviews with 12 Kansas school executives and questionnaire data received from 49 board presidents and 72 superintendents disclosed that the majority had perceived the occurrence of communications that violated employees' privacy. Training, ethical awareness, and a well-written policy are part of the solution. A model policy is provided to guide…

In its "stare decisis" ruling upholding a Pennsylvania school district's random drug-testing policy, a three-judge panel of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals nonetheless declared its disagreement with a similar panel's 1998 decision upholding another district's policy of random, suspicionless drug, alcohol, and tobacco testing. (MLH)

After school boards have adopted a policy on continued school attendance or employment by persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), they must address the related policy areas of sanitation and privacy, and review and update AIDS policies regularly. (MLF)

Discusses two recent court cases highlighting the legal pitfalls facing mandatory drug testing programs for teachers and students. In both cases, the courts contended that blanket testing policies violated Fourth Amendment protection from unreasonable search and seizure. Testing of individual teachers and students (under reasonable suspicion) may…

Sound technology policies can spell the difference between an effective website and an online nightmare. An effective web development policy addresses six key areas: roles and responsibilities, content/educational value, privacy and safety, adherence to copyright laws, technical standards, and use of commercial sites and services. (MLH)