A professor of law favoring the California proposal for a statewide voucher system emphasizes the significance of family choice; a superintendent of public schools argues against the proposal, raising the possibility of administrative problems and the negation of efforts toward equal opportunity. (SS)

Individuals who go into music careers will find that they are affected and sometimes governed by particular laws and legal agreements. Provides, as an example of a legal concern of a music career, an examination of a songwriter' contract, particularly the question of sources. (Editor/RK)

Superintendents must become adept at selecting an in-house attorney or outside counsel, anticipating legal-service costs, and spotting red flags. Although the school attorney's most regular contact is the superintendent, the school board is the client. Mutual respect is essential. Preventive law's primary goals are keeping the district out of…

The Knox and Bown decisions, involving school personnel's defiance of school prayer/moment-of-silence directives, strongly suggest that principals and their faculty members avoid taking the law into their own hands. Although an up-to-date knowledge of school law is prudent, job security requires educators to follow the advice of those legally…

Reviews the history of the tenure system and its constitutional and due process implications. Describes Florida's sustained performance review program, an evaluation of tenured faculty every seven years to encourage continuing professional development. (SK)

States that lawsuits are being filed that challenge anonymity and freedom of speech in cyberspace--is there a right to online anonymity? Examines the debate and issues associated with anonymous communications in cyberspace. Explores the "right of informational privacy" as it pertains to anonymity. Suggests some regulatory approaches for…

Extrapolates from existing case law on educational testing to the likely ways in which school accountability systems may be challenged in the courts. Also offers a list of recommended actions for accountability system developers. (SLD)

Discussion of distance learning focuses on access, legal, and policy issues for people with disabilities and presents an overview of design considerations for assuring that a distance learning course is accessible to potential instructors and students with a wide range of abilities and disabilities. Uses universal design as a framework.…

Discusses legal issues involved in conducting school board business over the Internet. (PKP)

Examines how three urban elementary schools could reallocate existing resources to adopt one or more New American Schools whole-school-reform designs. Concludes that all three schools possess the funds necessary to adopt two designs: Modern Red Schoolhouse and Success for All/Roots and Wings. (Contains 36 references.) (PKP)

Reviews methodological and conceptual basis of dual allegiance (DA), both of which are found wanting. Claims legal and ethical issues concerned with applications of DA research are not addressed appropriately by current investigators. Recommends ideas for ameliorating problems. Proposes research on DA that offers plan for dealing with fundamental…

School executives move beyond the bounds of ethical behavior when they exercise favoritism or act unethically to avoid trouble. Because public agencies are empowered by a political system driven by influence and power, confusion and uncertainty often arise. Sidebars advise how to handle hypothetical situations and clarify ethics policies. (MLH)

Addresses community attitude that angry adversarial divorces are normal and inevitable and asserts that, to change the divorce experience of Americans, the community attitude must change. Notes that one part of client community created and demanded and achieved joint custody and no fault divorce, and that it is up to the clients to demand and…

Discusses issues relating to intellectual property rights that are being affected by information technologies. A 1986 study by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) is discussed; intellectual property law is described, including copyright, patents, and trade secrets; and the involvement of the university community in considering intellectual…

Discusses legal issues that may arise as schools begin to provide internet access to K-12 students. A key concern is that students may be exposed to material that parents or teachers find inappropriate. (PR)