Intended to provide background information for a special advisory commission created by the state legislature to study the desirability of a state library networking system, this series of 12 papers prepared by the staff librarians of the Virginia State Library summarizes the workings of various network programs, techniques for implementing them,…

The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of copyright law as it relates to computer software. The computer industry terminology, case law, and software protection by patents and trade secret legislation are examined, and it is argued that the protection of ownership rights of computer software poses major challenges to existing U.S.…

This report examines the major issues arising from the impact of information technology on the creation of government information and its storage, processing, and recordkeeping, based on information gathered through a literature search, several mailed questionnaires, and three public hearings. An outline of the background of the information policy…

Discusses enactment, implementation, feedback, and reformulation of P.L. 93-638, permitting tribes to assume control of federal Indian programs. Focuses on 1975-80, during which policymakers addressed the lack of responsiveness by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service to tribal takeover demands. Contains 26 references. (SV)

This special report discusses some of the difficult problems that have faced and that continue to confront the National Labor Relations Board in determining the proper scope and composition of collegiate bargaining units, including the treatment of department chairpersons, principal investigators, part-time faculty, visiting lecturers, and…

This report considers the current and future impact of technology on schools, solutions to existing problems, and major policy questions concerning computer technology's role in education. Experiences of several universities in integrating computers into their programs are reviewed, as well as those of states and local school districts in…

An update on legal aspects of drug testing in the workplace looks at pre-employment screening, reasonable suspicion testing, routine testing in periodic physical examinations, random testing, and unionized employers. Practical guidelines are given for minimizing obtrusiveness, confirmatory tests, laboratory selection, notification of policy,…

Addresses the recent history and current status of the sexual harassment problem in colleges and universities, focusing on the harassment of students by their teachers or peers and whether and how students can hold universities liable. Develops a typology of Title IX sexual harassment claims and their variable contexts, considers implications for…

An advisory committee, in response to a 1985 resolution by the Virginia General Assembly, presents this analysis and makes recommendations concerning state school bus safety. The report is divided into eight topics; six appendices comprise three-fourths of the study. "Origin of the Study" states requests to be investigated by the…

This paper discusses 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that promote the inclusion of children with disabilities in general early childhood education settings. The evolution of inclusion policy is explored and changes in disability terminology are described. Amended provisions are then explained and include:…

This report is aimed at helping Congress: (1) better understand the functions, history, capabilities, limitations, uses, and misuses of educational tests; (2) learn more about the promises and pitfalls of new assessment methods and technologies; and (3) identify and weigh policy options affecting educational policy. To prepare this report, the…

American copyright law provides a means of stimulating intellectual development and protecting the ownership interests of the authors of copyrighted works. Over the years, U.S. copyright law has evolved in order to respond to societal and technological changes. Under the copyright statute certain uses of a copyrighted work are permitted under the…

Explains to colleges and universities the import of the Supreme Court' Title VII clarifications in the Burlington, Faragher, and Oncale decisions, discusses post-decision cases in the educational context, and recommends measures that educational institutions can take to safeguard themselves from discrimination and harassment complaints and…

Should private employers have a right of access to criminal history record information in order to make employment decisions about applicants and employees? This book addresses both legal and operational questions relating to the use of criminal justice data for private employment and decision-making purposes. The informative, non-prescriptive…

Reviews reasons for, history of, and exceptions to open meeting (sunshine) acts and considers arguments by the Michigan Supreme Court in its ruling supporting a university's right to privacy in its presidential search. Concludes that in contrast to the court's argument, universities do not require the freedom to employ closed searches and state…