Teacher malpractice, defined as instructional incompetency, or failure to exercise reasonable guidance, counseling, and instructional supervision, is a critical problem. This article reviews recent court decisions favoring school districts. Principals, as instructional leaders, are cautioned about incompetent teachers and inappropriate testing,…

Removal of school library books is again an issue in the courts. In a 1993 Kansas City case involving the superintendent's removal of "Annie on My Mind" from several school libraries, the federal court found that school officials' motivation violated the First Amendment. Administrators must resist the temptation to quell controversy by…

Describes four legally sensitive scenarios involving student access to the Internet and recommends appropriate strategies to assist principals in reducing exposure to legal action. (PKP)

Discusses the liability of principals in court cases involving claims of educational malpractice or personal injury to students. Cites major cases and suggests ways in which principals can reduce the likelihood of suits. (PGD)

Discusses the case of an 8-year-old boy with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, problem behavior, and good grades, who was denied eligibility for special education under IDEA's "other health impaired" clause and Section 504. The court "ducked" on the parent's second claim concerning level of services available under…

There are numerous vital middle-school programs, including cooperative learning, advisory programs, interdisciplinary curricula, and exploratory activities that can invite costly lawsuits if not properly structured and supervised. Educators should follow district policies and procedures, develop classroom rules for all grade levels, give adequate…

Updates a 1993 article describing two successful full-inclusion cases involving disabled students. In a 1994 case, a disruptive junior high student with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Tourette Syndrome was placed temporarily in an off-campus, self-contained program. The Ninth Circuit Court affirmed the trial court's decision…

The second of two articles on suits against principals first discusses student civil rights, including student searches, suspension (especially of handicapped students), and corporal punishment, and suggests what principals can do. The article also covers defamation of character suits, child abuse reporting, and principals' liability insurance.…

A Florida student suicide case alleging administrative and school board negligence had mixed results. School officials must be vigilant about the possibility of student suicide and put appropriate procedures into place. The connections to school may include confidential communications, curricular linkages (educational films and student journals),…

In an era promulgating "zero tolerance" of school violence, courts are giving considerable latitude to school officials in administering student discipline. The vast majority of student due process claims arising from suspensions and expulsions, including a recent marijuana possession case in Alabama, have failed in recent years. The…