The recommendations in the National Academy of Sciences' report "Placing Children in Special Education" are critiqued. The feasibility of its implementation is challenged in such areas as treatment of disproportionate placement, legal and professional policy barriers to implementation, and the role of courts in resolving scientific…

This summary reports the highlights of a survey on microcomputer usage in institutions of higher education which was sponsored in part by EDUCOM. Software issues are emphasized, including assistance in evaluation, integrating software into the curriculum, and policy and procedures concerning illegal access and duplication. (LRW)

An analysis of first amendment guarantees focuses on the federal government's power to regulate experiments, arguing that they do not merit the stringent level of first amendment protection offered by strict scrutiny or related standards. (Author/MSE)

Two recent appeals court decisions that overturned invocation prayers at graduation are discussed. Because of difficult legal issues involved, graduation prayers, if used, should be carefully worded to avoid sectarian references. (TE)

Describes one school board member's experiences, including being sued by a group (to which her son belonged) desiring to hold a peace fair on school property. Recounts massive reading assignments, disciplinary and due process hearings, countless meetings, and other official and unofficial responsibilities. Advocates smooth proceedings and…

Discusses the Fourth Circuit Court's decision in "Riddick v. School Board of Norfolk" allowing the school board to stop busing children even though the return to neighborhood schools creates many racially isolated schools. The argument turns on whether segregation is "de jure" or "de facto"; the distinguishing factor…

This article identifies various dimensions of the AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)-related issues emerging in corporations nationwide, including confidentiality, the right of patients to work, benefits and insurance, HTLV-III (Human T-Lymphotropic Type III) screening, fears of contagion among workers, needs of companies to avoid…

Discusses employers' duty to accommodate employees' requests for religious leave, based on the case of "Ansonia Board of Education v. Philbrook." A school board denied a high school teacher's request for three days of paid, personal business leave to supplement his paid religious leave. The final court decision turned on "reasonable…

Discusses the importance of personnel policies covering AIDS (and other communicable diseases) and presents relevant employee guidelines developed by teacher unions and school districts. Three insets offer additional Center for Disease Control guidelines, day-to-day considerations when working with AIDS employees, and available publications…

Since the passage of PL 94-142 in 1976 (providing for handicapped students' free transportation to and from school) and an influx of disabled students, the pupil transportation industry has been reexamining its safety measures. A newly formed national committee is working on equipment and impact speed safety criteria. (MLH)

Addresses several differences between computer software and books that affect copyright-related issues. Discussion covers durability of the physical medium, dilemma of backup copies, software licensing agreements, integrity of honest customers, and policy suggestions for libraries that have or are considering microcomputer labs and are concerned…

Pressured by public safety concerns, school boards have begun to adopt exclusionary policies and screening programs for pupils and employees infected with the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) virus. This article reviews recent court decisions based on the "handicapped individual" defense and urges administrators to present…

Reviews four recent court decisions affecting school law. A Circuit Court of Appeals ruling upheld Norfolk Schools' decision to abolish busing and reinstate neighborhood schools. The United States Supreme Court dismissed appeals to lower court decisions involving a minimum grade prerequisite, a teacher's privacy rights, and an "adult"…

Examines "Chicago Teachers Union v. Hudson," a United States Supreme Court decision guaranteeing non-union government workers specific protections of procedural due process that certain educational and teacher unions had failed to recognize. Decries the "Hudson" decision for separating labor law from laws governing the rest of…

The author states that an understanding of the legal doctrine from which malpractice charges arise, as well as of the rationale behind the courts' reluctance to decide educational matters, and a commitment to make improvements within the system to stop malpractice claims before they happen are the keys to avoiding educational malpractice suits.…