Reviews 1995 court decisions concerning free speech in colleges and universities, focusing on the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment (educator speech, campus speech regulations, speech in public forum), religion clauses (Establishment Clause, Free Exercise Clause) and statutes (Religious Freedom Restoration Act, Equal Access Act). Concludes…

Before educators can help children unlearn racial prejudice, they should realize that children develop societal stereotypes and biases by age 3 or 4. A Seattle multiculturalism expert suggests that schools create an overall cooperative atmosphere, sponsor cross-school events that bring kids from different backgrounds together, and ensure equal…

Discusses ideas and strategies to ensure risk management in early childhood settings. Suggests that current trends in early childhood education lead to the reevaluation of risk factors. Notes that risk management today includes not only inspecting playgrounds and classrooms and implementing the latest public health guidelines but also staying…

This article addresses issues of confidentiality and the management of student records as affected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy act (FERPA). It identifies violations of FERPA and relates FERPA to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. (DB)

While college and university officials tend to say they have fraternity hazing under control due to school policies and state criminal laws, critics find the laws have been ineffective, in part because of a tendency to blame the victims. Punishment of some student perpetrators has been minimal. Liability of schools can be substantial, with…

An Educational Risk Management Plan (ERMP) should be incorporated throughout every school district. Discusses property and liability insurance classifications and features of a good ERMP. (12 references) (MLF)

A discussion of college and university responsibility to comply with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compliance, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) focuses on recent court litigation and suggests practical procedures for colleges to anticipate and control environmental problems. Colleges and universities are cautioned to be prepared for…

A university administrator and the cochair of the President's Council on Physical Fitness discuss how sports and academics should be integrated at the college level. The first looks at issues of academic standards and athletes and the role of the Knight Foundation Commission. The second offers the perspective of a member of the Knight Foundation…

Perspectives on Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments concerning gender equity in college sports, include those of a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) administrator and a women's law attorney. The first looks at the law's provisions, NCAA's role, and related challenges facing institutions. The second focuses on continuing gender…

Offers a rationale for the importance of school-based intervention in crisis and emergency situations, outlining a model for crisis response policies and procedures. Discusses benefits to schools of developing a team to implement the model, obstacles that can impede full implementation, and strategies for minimizing identified obstacles. (SM)

This article presents a complaint and a defense in a hypothetical case concerning confidentiality of the records of a student with emotional disturbance, in the context of two federal laws: the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. A judicial analysis of the arguments concludes that no…

Focuses on sexual harassment as experienced by high school females in Canada and examines the deleterious effects of this behavior on their education. The author suggests how educators can make high school a more equitable place for female students. (GR)

The strategies and rationales used at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, to develop a policy framework for electronic information management are discussed. The framework articulates the electronic rights and responsibilities of the university community and the public. A copy of the current policy statement is appended. (Author/MSE)

Summarizes year one of a two-year study of peer harassment in eight New York State schools. Most adolescents find school a harassing experience. Three types of students report being harassed: girls viewed as unattractive or unstylish dressers, physically well-developed girls, and non-macho boys. Educators must intervene to create more caring…

A carefully structured process for campus administrative decision making concerning hate speech is proposed and suggestions for implementation are offered. In addition, criteria for evaluating hate speech processes are outlined, and First Amendment principles circumscribing the institution's discretion to regulate hate speech are discussed.…