Answers to questions about institutional obligations under Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 illustrate the legal issues that may confront college administrators as they make efforts to comply. Topics include: institutions that are covered, individuals who are protected, reasonable accommodation, affirmative action, and legal…

The legal status of homosexual teachers is addressed. Some of the issues examined include society's reaction to homosexuals, society's view of the role of the teacher, court cases involving gay teachers, and recommendations of affirmative and aggressive strategies to improve the legal position of homosexual teachers. (JMD)

A 10-year comparison of New York State Family Court records examines the differences in the way courts adjudicate adolescent delinquents according to sex and offense. Attention is called to the improbability of altering adolescent behavior in any positive way through the punitive and highly moralistic means now employed. (Author)

Since higher echelon jobs have been drawn into litigation under Title VII, subjective criteria have been employed. The legal ramifications of assessing noncognitive traits such as leadership, aggressiveness, and attitude are discussed. Available from: the University of Georgia School of Law, Athens, Georgia 30602. (LBH)

The existence and exercise of a teacher's authority to use corporal punishment in disciplining students has been challenged in both Louisiana and federal courts. Recent developments and posit solutions where the law is unsettled are reviewed. Available from: the Louisiana State University Law School, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (LBH)

Provides guidelines for the development of campus computer policies, focusing on legal issues related to adult material, harassment, privacy, commerce, and copyright. Notes that computer use policies and practices need to evolve in concert with the changing computer culture. (MDM)

In the spring 1995 "JLE" issue, Bruce Meredith and Julie Underwood posited that regular and special education have developed fundamentally different paradigms that hinder cooperation. James Tucker and Jeffrey Champagne responded that regular/special education's conflict over resources is decreasing. Thomas Kuhn would argue that…

Discusses legal issues resulting from implementation of an advisory component in a comprehensive middle school program. Focuses on safety issues in team-building activities, confidentiality and reporting issues related to adult advisory roles, and First Amendment issues related to religion. Examines the teacher's legal role. Concludes that…

Conflicts between educational and medical law and between school policies and the professional ethics and standards of school nurses increasingly lead to professional legal dilemmas related to health data collection, recordkeeping, storage of confidential health information, protection of a student's and/or family's right to confidentiality, and…

Examines circumstances of Californian Indians' unacknowledged and terminated tribes, the legal history and current status of their claims, and cultural and economic problems facing many tribes. Recommends a study of California Indian conditions leading to appropriate comprehensive federal legislation. Includes lists of restoration and…

Litigation concerning the responsibility of a college or university to provide a safe environment for students is reviewed, focusing on interpretations of the "in loco parentis" doctrine. It is argued that institutions have a duty to not only provide campus security but also enforce a code of civility on campus. (MSE)

Discusses computer ethics and the use of computer networks. Topics addressed include computer hackers; software piracy; computer viruses and worms; intentional and unintentional abuse; intellectual property rights versus freedom of thought; the role of information in a democratic society; individual privacy; legislation; social attitudes; and the…

Speech codes and assessment mandates diminish academic freedom and instructional quality in higher education. Classroom speech and activities should be under individual faculty control; scholarly failure is the only basis for questioning classroom conduct; society's legal institutions should address legal issues; and informal norms should be…

Summarizes recent developments in copyright law, with a focus on their consequences for users in colleges, universities, and libraries. Highlights include the concept of fair use; library reproduction rights; recent court cases and legislation; and future copyright concerns, including fair use of computer software and electronic text, and license…

School attorneys interpret state and federal laws, head off expensive lawsuits, and defend their districts aggressively in court. Offers advice on how to find and keep a good attorney. Contains a sample advertisement for the position. (MLF)