One of the most frequently used legal defenses against the charge that a school employee or district has been negligent is contributory negligence. Contributory negligence means that the injured person failed to exercise the required standard of care for his own safety and, therefore, contributed to his own injury. (Author/WM)

Two court decisions illustrate that school personnel have responsibilities and rights in the area of student control; but courts also are cognizant of the fact that teachers, like other human beings, may err. (Author/MF)

Examines several court cases dealing particularly with censorship and discipline issues arising out of student publications. Makes proposals for "prior submission" rules. (WM)

In matters of teacher dismissal, school administrators must follow their State laws explicitly. (Author/DN)

Discusses the school's responsibility in handling student records and the rights of parents to student records. (Author/DN)

A teacher's private behavior, so long as it remains private, is not subject to an employer's scrutiny. (Author)

The most important goals the principal should set are the straightforward ones of implementing an educationally sound program and of being sensitive to reasonable claims by minorities that their privacy or their religious beliefs are unduly imposed on by a course. (Author/IRT)

School administrators do, under specific circumstances enjoy the benefits of privileged communication and can rely on some legal protection if charged with defamation of character. (Author/WM)

A discussion of two decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court relating to a nontenured teacher's legal rights, especially those rights related to contract renewal. (Author/DN)

Courts will generally support the dismissal of an employee who fails to follow the legitimate orders of his or her superior or who is so verbally abusive of his superior that the school's effectiveness is imparied. (Author)