Court decisions regarding the right of individuals to privacy necessitate the development of new administrative strategies of handling confidential data. (SP)

Parents frequently blame the school when their child does not succeed, because they believe that everyone has a vested "right" to an education and that student failure is automatically teacher failure. Educators must work to refute these myths. (SJL)

Discusses religious activities which are not permissible and activities which the Court has condoned. (Author/SP)

Considers how school officials face the delicate task of balancing a student's individual right to Fourth Amendment protection against their duty to provide a safe and secure environment for all students--a major challenge in cases involving intrusive searches. Discusses recent developments involving intrusive searches, previous court rulings…

Discusses the evolution of the concept of "mainstreaming," objections to the idea, the rights of the handicapped, and the rights of all students to an effective education. Responds to the critics of mainstreaming. (FL)

Historically, public school officials have acted without consideration for due process in issuing grades to students, in excluding students from school for academic failure, and in lowering grades as a means of disciplining students. The constitutionality of these actions is challenged and recent court cases are reviewed. (Author/KC)

Discusses key provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which protects the confidentiality of student records. Describes 10 errors school personnel may commit in handling student confidentiality records which can invite legal challenges and prove costly from a legal standpoint. (SR)

Confidentiality of student educational records is a serious issue. Disclosure of sensitive information in a student's personal file without prior written consent can be legally troublesome, especially when information is transmitted to others who have no legitimate educational interest in the student. Damaging information disclosed to a third…

Discusses the widespread practice of having students report their scores aloud in class. Gathers arguments against this practice from various laws and educational standards. Counters various reasons teachers offer justifying this practice with other perspectives showing its negative impact on students and emphasizing students' right to privacy.…

Notes the inevitable tensions between the interests of teachers and administrators on the one hand and individual constitutional rights of students on the other. Uses an incident at a Florida high school to discuss 4 basic premises explaining why school administrators must adopt a "preferred position" in support of student…

Cautions that while the decision of the Supreme Court in "New Jersey vs. T.L.O." did affirm the authority of school officials to search students under some circumstances, it did not give them unfettered authority to search students. (FL)

Article considered the use of the modular schedule and its meaning for the student, his parents, and the school. (RK)

Shares the history of a court case in which students are required to announce grades aloud. Suggests that a professional responsibility of teachers is to build trust between those who hold power and those who do not. Contends that peer grading can serve other roles, such as an opportunity where students can feel comfortable learning from their…