Historically, private education has been an option mostly for families who could afford the cost or received financial help. Years of research have shown that many families would choose private schools and other educational resources for their children if they did not face insurmountable financial or geographical limitations. Private educational…

Study abroad programs have proven beneficial for both the international student as well as the domestic community and school population interacting with the student. In an effort to promote cultural awareness, intercultural communications as well as opportunities for future study abroad program success, universities must take care to provide…

How well do youth offending teams (YOT) work? In which areas of their work is their performance excellent and where is improvement needed? This research examined annual performance assessments of services for children and young people undertaken by Ofsted in 57 local authorities from January 2006 to April 2009, together with relevant data relating…

Two recent Supreme Court decisions have a major effect on special education litigation. The first requires schools to provide "related services" of a paramedical nature to handicapped children; the second limits school board liability for attorney's fees in successful special education lawsuits. (TE)

The paper explores the definitional problems of visual handicaps, especially in terms of the legal definition of blindness. A brief history of relevant laws and a discussion of current case law precede a section providing suggestions for strengthening the legal position of the visually handicapped in future litigation. (Author/DB)

This legal compendium focuses on the difficult and volatile issues of student discipline in cases of both academic and nonacademic misconduct. Part I lists non-academic codes from University of Michigan, Yale College, Vanderbilt University, University of Iowa, City University of New York, Baylor University, Columbia University, George Washington…

This document provides witness testimonies and prepared statements from the Congressional hearing called to consider the problems of juvenile victims in sexual assault cases. Opening statements are given by Senators Arlen Specter, Paul Simon, and Mitch McConnell. The recent controversy concerning the rape conviction of Gary Dotson and the…

According to the American Tort Reform Association's (ATRA) survey of secondary school principals, concern about liability was cited for cutting back or terminating many activities. ATRA recommends some major legislative change including reform of the doctrine of joint and several liability, and placing limits on noneconomic and punitive damage…

This booklet discusses due process for institutions of higher education and how principles of due process should shape the design of institutional procedures for resolution of conflicts affecting students, faculty, academic programs, and research. The booklet defines and explains various area of conflict, the role of due process, and key legal…

To help clarify the school prayer controversy, this article examines recent court decisions concerning three issues: organized prayer, silent prayer or meditation, and prayers at graduation, assemblies, and extracurricular activities. In "Wallace vs. Jaffree" (1985), the United States Supreme Court reaffirmed its consistent opposition to…

Recent challenges to the tax-exempt status of private colleges and universities in Pennsylvania result from the convergence of two trends: an aging population that changes the economic balance, and a shift in case law that heretofore favored charities. If the challenges continue, higher education will feel significant negative consequences. (MSE)

This compendium provides an overview of selected codes of student conduct, a selection of annotated legal decisions and important law review articles, and various National Association of College and University Attorney (NACUA) outlines on the issue of student discipline in both academic and nonacademic contexts. Part 1 lists nonacademic codes of…

This Research in Brief report addresses the problem of dealing effectively with the crime of child sexual abuse. It is noted that child sexual abuse often goes unreported and unprosecuted. Problems faced and posed by child victims on the criminal justice system are reviewed. Legislative revisions, local reforms, and new techniques to alleviate…

Examines Fourth Amendment legal issues involved in drug testing of public employees. Discusses several recent court cases involving probable cause and reasonable suspicion to determine appropriate standards for individual situations. Outlines implications for public employers. Blanket drug testing is not permissable, though job applicants have…

The use of facilitated communication with individuals with severe disabilities in court cases is examined in light of tendencies of the legal system to distort clinical and scientific innovations. Examples are offered, and the issues of the admissibility of scientific and clinical innovations and the trial judge's authority to qualify expert…