Public officials are required to prove actual malice before they can win damages in libel actions. Reviews the Supreme Court's decisions regarding public persons and teachers and lower courts' conflicting rulings that teachers are public officials and that teachers are not public officials. (MLF)

Argues that an April 20, 1983, United States Supreme Court decision upholding the discharge of a former New Orleans assistant district attorney may have negative consequences for the free speech rights of public employees, including teachers. (JBM)

In most cases of self-defense and defense of others, the defendant is required to affirmatively plead and prove that: (1) an apparent necessity to act in self-defense existed; (2) the force used was reasonable under the existing circumstances; and (3) the defendant had no time to resort to the law. (MLF)

The authors state their book's main purpose is to assist teachers to become "legally literate." The reviewers describe the book as a wide-ranging, narrative approach to teachers' legal rights. However, those who want an indepth and technical discussion on substantive and procedural issues are advised to look elsewhere. (MLF)

The Term Contract Nonrenewal Act, passed by the Texas Legislature in August 1981, provides term contract teachers with the option of a due process hearing before nonrenewal. Specific aspects of this act, dealing with teacher evaluation, notice of nonrenewal, hearings, and decisions and appeals, are reveiwed. (CJ)

An analysis of litigation involving teachers in their relation to the public school system between the years 1965-1986 identified the issues that have generated over 4,000 lawsuits. The findings have public policy implications for state legislatures and teacher organizations. (MLF)

This document presents various standards for the accreditation of Utah public school personnel as developed by the Utah State Board of Education, current as of January 1977. Information presented includes the following: (1) Evaluation, Approval, and Accreditation of Teacher Education Programs; (2) Accreditation of Higher Institutions which Prepare…

This bulletin contains the regulations governing the certification of teachers and other school personnel in the state of Mississippi. (JD)

A new Ohio statute, similar to other statutes nationwide, affords probationary teachers facing nonrenewal of their contracts many procedural protections, while at the same time increasing the administrative burden. The line of demarcation between legal protections for novice teachers and those for their experienced colleagues is becoming…

Outlines the Court's reasoning in "Norwick," in which it held that aliens can be excluded from teaching positions, and suggests a model for "governmental function exception" of aliens. Available from University of Connecticut School of Law, 1800 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117. (Author/IRT)

In the face of a high degree of legislative activity concerning public sector labor relations in the Midwest, this guide was prepared to familiarize practitioners with such legislation enacted as of May 1, 1975, in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. This legislation concerns state employees, fire fighters, municipal…

Discusses the "Cleveland Board of Education v. Loudermill" case, in which a security guard was dismissed for dishonestly completing an application without a chance to answer the charge or challenge his dismissal. Examines the United States Supreme Court ruling, immediate due process implications, unanswered questions, and lower court…

Discusses the application of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as a legal theory available to an employee of a public school system who faces isolation, transfer, suspension, or termination because of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Addresses AIDS in the workplace and the law. (MLF)

The extent of legislative activity in the area of postsecondary collective bargaining throughout the states is outlined. Specific legislative document numbers needed to request copies from the various legislative houses are included. The states are grouped in three categories: (1) those not having educational employee public sector collective…

In question-and-answer format, New Jersey's new regulations on tenured teacher evaluation are explained, with special reference to local procedures and the role of the New Jersey Education Association. (SJL)