A chain of interconnected events has occurred over the past four decades that can transform the lives of students with disabilities and their families. These events include the national policy shift to standards-based reform, legislative action that is reflected in reauthorizations of federal educational laws and regulations, and sustained state…

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…

In 2011, the Indiana General Assembly passed a broad and ambitious reform package that significantly altered how teachers and principals are evaluated. Senate Enrolled Act 001 (SEA 1) requires: (1) annual evaluation for all certificated employees; (2) objective measures of student achievement and growth; (3) rigorous measures of effectiveness; (4)…

This report misrepresents and then criticizes recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Education, a think tank and two independent study groups, each of which recently encouraged particular voluntary efforts to reduce concentrated poverty and achieve racial and socioeconomic integration in schools and housing in Minnesota. In building its…

Over the past several decades, Kentucky's efforts to build equity, adequacy, and excellence in public education have produced substantial results. The state has moved closer to delivering for all children, but it has not completed the effort. Instead, having set itself a 2014 deadline to deliver proficiency for all, despite progress, Kentucky is…

For educators in the field of higher education and judicial affairs, issues are growing. Campus adjudicators must somehow maximize every opportunity for student education and development in the context of declining resources and increasing expectations of public accountability. Numbers of student misconduct cases, including matters of violence and…

Summarizes the reasoning of a group of legal experts and reform-minded educators who discussed a recently filed suit against the San Francisco Schools. The 18-year-old plaintiff in this case is suing for one million dollars because he can't read. (JF)

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…

Various theories are examined upon which a student might base a suit against a teacher, administrator, school, or school district for his failure to learn because of teacher negligence or incompetence. Outlines a broad range of arguments indicating strengths and weaknesses and appropriate situations for each.

The development and submission, for the Court's consideration, of an education plan for Hispano and Black children in Denver Public Schools was requested by plaintiffs in this case. The Court ordered the development of a school program based on the characteristics of these children. The proposed plan provides the rationale and activities necessary…

The U. S. Court of Appeals ruled that District of Columbia schools had not followed procedural requirements for the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. The Texas Supreme Court upheld the "no pass-no play" rule that requires students participating in extracurricular activities to meet academic criteria. (MLF)

The total number of children affected by divorce has more than tripled since 1960, even though the total number of children has declined from the 1970s to the 1980s. In 1988 female-headed households with children and no spouse present constituted 44.7 percent of all families at or below the poverty level. The purpose of this paper is to show that…

The issue of whether educators and the education profession can be held liable for professional judgments that result in the failure of students to succeed academically is addressed. An overview of past educational malpractice claims is presented, with an outline of the fundamental legal questions in several case histories. Judicial decisions in…

Litigation is discussed in which courts have established principles of law governing student academic assessments relating to course grades, admission to degree programs, and expulsion from programs for academic deficiencies and whether these academic decisions impair student's constitutional and/or contractual rights. (MSE)

Competency testing often refers to a system devised to assure successful performance on a specific test, in addition to other mandated criteria as a requisite to obtaining a high school diploma. Minimum competency testing is usually defined in one of two ways: as the acquisition of basic skills or as the demonstrated ability to apply basic skills…