Nearly every legislative session in the last decade has changed state law in a way that requires school board members and superintendents to be more highly sensitized to conflict of interest issues, regardless of the size of their district. Prior state law simply forbade most opportunities for financial conflicts of interest, especially those…

In discussing the Defunis v. Odegaard case and the busing issue in reference to reverse race discrimination, the author concludes that measures that favor racial minorities pose a difficult moral question that should be left to the states. (Author/PG)

Descriptive and statistical information on school-based clinics are provided. A mailed survey to 68 programs operating 120 school based clinics yielded responses from 46 programs representing 79 clinics, a 69 percent response rate. Data were collected on patterns of student use, student demographics, services, finances, legal issues, policy…

In California, the desire to do something about child abuse, fanned by repeated and often sensational media coverage, has led to an understandable but counterproductive overreaction on the part of professionals and citizens reporting suspected child abuse. Child protective agencies receive an average of one report a minute. There are over 300,000…

The degree of proof needed for conviction in a criminal action (which is "proof beyond a reasonable doubt") is greater than the proof needed to obtain a judgment in a teacher-dismissal civil action (which is "a preponderance of the evidence"). (Author)

A documentation of the obstacles in law, policy and administrative procedure that interfere with effecting adoptions across State lines is presented. Major problems include: (1) Nonjudicial termination or relinquishment proceedings, although legal in many States, do not satisfy the courts in other states on the issue of the child's freedom for…

The case of Blair vs. Washington State University revives the state equal rights amendment as a feasible and powerful cause of action against sex-based discrimination, in college athletics and beyond. Washington's amendment mandated equality in funding, facilities, treatment, and opportunities for Washington State University's women's…

Cites the importance of having a state law, knowing what it says, and having a library policy statement regarding the confidentiality of patron records. Discussion covers writing and implementing a policy, the role of automation, existing laws, library records defined, exceptions to confidentiality, and legal liability. Thirty-seven references are…

A problem unique to constitutional torts arises when state-created governmental entities are defendants. Implications of the problem are discussed, and it is concluded that until the issue is resolved, the right to compensation for violations of rights will continue to depend upon the law of the state in which the violation occurred. (LBH)

This is the 22nd in a series of yearly updates of judicial decision summaries for case law related to elementary and secondary education issues. One can use previous and future editions to track decisions on appeal or to see trends in case law. With few exceptions, the cases were selected from court decisions found in federal and regional…

This is the 21st in a series of yearly updates of judicial decision summaries for case law related to elementary and secondary education issues. One can use previous and future editions to track decisions on appeal or to see trends in case law. The cases included, with a few exceptions, were selected from court decisions found in federal and…

Identfies the legal constraints and dynamics (in their institutional and political settings) which operate on community education. Examines (1) how community education fits into the structure of more traditional public education law, (2) how the courts have regarded community education, (3) the relevant policies that State education codes and…

Author describes the process by which the state can coercively remove children from their parents, and he analyzes the best interests of the child test, the legal standard courts usually employ to decide whether a neglected child should be removed from parental custody. (Editor)

Treats various state's laws on corporal punishment in schools as it affects students and teachers. Recommends that corporal punishment be used only as self-defense measure. (DS)