Suicide rates among teenagers have increased significantly in recent years. The professional literature for public school personnel has been increasingly extensive. Yet, the corresponding coverage of liability case law regarding student suicide has been far from systematic and objective. An article in a legal periodical, written by Zirkel and…

The evolution of the resident assistant position and its history are important to understanding its increasing complexities. In this article we examine how court cases and federal legislation, along with changes in popular culture, have altered and shaped the role of the resident assistant. Our premise is that this role, originally relatively…

This article explores the legal implications for U.S. higher education administrators who make admissions decisions regarding students with disabilities. A review of federal legislation, case law, and government agency rulings pertaining to higher education admissions and students with disabilities informs administrators of current law.…

Research demonstrates that students with disabilities are harassed more than their nondisabled peers. Students with disabilities who have been severely harassed have argued that they are not receiving a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) as required by Individuals with Disabilities Education Act…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2008) reports that approximately 0.2% of all persons under the age of 20 have been diagnosed with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. This represents 186,300 children and young adults. Type 1 diabetes has traditionally been a disease of children and adolescents. Although type 2 diabetes has in the past…

In the last decade, the number of children diagnosed with food allergies has increased significantly--to an estimated 3 million affected in the United States alone (Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, n.d.). As that number increases, so do the articles, legislation, and policies that are designed to address how to best deal with peanut allergies…

In recent years, many state departments of education and local school districts have taken steps to reduce bullying in schools. The U.S. Department of Education (Department) fully supports these efforts. Bullying fosters a climate of fear and disrespect that can seriously impair the physical and psychological health of its victims and create…

When the Americans with Disabilities Act passed in 1990, it was estimated that 43 million Americans were living with a disability. This number continues to grow. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there are now over 54 million Americans who have a disability. There also has been an increase is the number of students…

In May 1997 and March 1998, the Midwest Center for Postsecondary Outreach, in conjunction with St. Paul Technical College, hosted a video teleconference in which four other professionals and the authors appeared. Although they answered some of the questions submitted, due to time constraints, they were unable to respond to a number of the…

The number of students with food allergies is increasing, with peanuts the leading culprit. Peer pressure and allergens hidden in baked goods can pose problems for school staff. Children with documented life-threatening allergies are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Principals should reassure parents and use Section 504 guidelines…

The history, provisions, and impact on universities of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) are examined. It is concluded that the ADA will not break new ground for higher education and that Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 will remain the main avenue by which disabled obtain access to universities. (MSE)

This article provides an overview of the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), both civil rights laws that require schools to provide eligible students with equal access to a free, appropriate education and to extracurricular activities. Actions schools can take to ensure…

Legal protections for individuals with learning disabilities are considered through a review of the qualification requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Differences between IDEA and Section 504 are examined, along with decisions from…

This paper summarizes requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related regulations and judicial decisions as the law pertains to employment at public and private schools. It stresses that the ADA forbids employment discrimination on the basis of disability, and requires employers to make "reasonable accommodation"…

With nearly 1 in 11 of first-year college students reporting a disability, colleges are responding in different ways, from policies to architecture. Activists for the disabled say the first serious efforts date to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Educators see high cost and educational issues as barriers to compliance. The law is not…