Reviews developments in the Texaco v. American Geophysical Union copyright case that involves photocopying scientific journal articles for researchers. Highlights include the Copyright Clearance Center role; fair use; purpose of the use, i.e., commercial or nonprofit; the nature of the copyrighted work; amount copied; and effect on the potential…

Examines the readability of the U.S. Constitution. Reports that, of 117 undergraduate students who read the document, approximately 25 percent had difficulty completing a cloze procedure based upon it. Calls for further research on the high school and college levels. Suggests that the Constitution be presented in learning environments designed to…

Discusses the legacy of the Hazelwood vs. Kuhlmeier case and its implications for school publications advisers. Discusses whether censorship is wrong-headed pedagogy for journalism educators teaching the importance and use of free expression in a democracy. Discusses the problem of pedagogy, academic freedom, and expression vs. authority. (SR)

Reviews court cases regarding copyright ownership of student-produced videos. Makes recommendations concerning a contract between school and student acknowledging the student's copyright but granting the school a nonexclusive license to air the program. Presents a prototype of such a contract. (SR)

Since the Supreme Court's 1992 "Lee v. Weisman" decision, holding that the First Amendment's establishment clause precluded school-sponsored graduation prayers, school officials have struggled to avoid lawsuits while satisfying community preferences. Efforts to circumvent this decision have resulted in "noncoercive"…

An appellate court found that Michigan's popular prepaid college tuition program is not subject to federal income taxes, reversing an earlier decision. The program, considered a model for other states, was suspended in 1991 due to fund depletion from tax payments. The Internal Revenue Service is considering an appeal. (MSE)

A federal district judge has struck down a two-year-old University of Wisconsin code barring slurs or epithets based on an individual's race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or ethnic origin, ruling that it violates students' First-Amendment rights to freedom of speech. The decision affects a number of other colleges. (MSE)

The rapid postwar rise of temporary employment is outlined, including legitimate and less legitimate manifestations, views of unions and employers, advantages and disadvantages. The legal status of such work in various countries and the problems arising from the triangular relationship between worker, temporary agency, and employer are addressed.…

Besides establishing a dialogue with concerned parents about the school's holiday observance policies, principals should know district policies, check with colleagues in nearby schools, consult teachers, become familiar with school law and court cases, realize that teachers and community members may not agree, develop and publicize a sound policy,…

Summarizes a case involving a Denver high school teacher's naming, in a government class, of a student observed in a public sexual rendezvous. The teacher lost on all fronts, because his speech was considered school-sponsored and did not meet the school district's pedagogical interests, based on the 1988 "Hazelwood" decision limiting…

Increasingly, college presidents and boards are likely to address some financial issues such as contracts, severance arrangements, and award of tenure status at the time of hiring. Early specification of terms increases presidents' job security, clarifies expectations, and reduces financial risk for institutions. (MSE)

The paper examines the state of drug testing of college athletes and the challenges faced by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and university testing programs. State and federal litigation on drug testing is reviewed along with other issues in the drug-testing debate. Practical recommendations are offered to educational institutions.…

Basic principles of insurance law are reviewed, an overview of liability insurance is given, and currently significant issues concerning liability insurance coverage with special relevance to higher education institutions are examined. Focus is on professional and director-and-officer insurance, but other applications are possible. (Author/MSE)

A circuit court ruling involving sex-discrimination and college faculty tenure is examined, focusing on differences between this case's substantive analysis and the procedural focus of earlier decisions. It is concluded that the case sets a standard for judicial intervention in an area formerly considered beyond the reach of law. (MSE)

Discusses emerging educational service delivery systems for homeless children and youth, stressing policy implications for overcoming barriers to their education. Mainstream program models fit the intent of the 1990 Mckinney Act amendments. Programs should address individual and family resource needs through interagency collaboration and provide…