Differentiates between the legal functions that college- and university-sponsored research officers are required to perform and the quasi-legal functions in research administration. Introduces and discusses legal concepts integral to research administration, and offers practical pointers in carrying out both legal and quasi-legal functions.…

Since public schools serve children of diverse religious backgrounds, an upstate New York district tried to construct a policy where all students felt comfortable. Proponents had an uphill struggle, since many constituents found nonreligious Christmas assemblies and displays acceptable. This article highlights Williamsville's Free Exercise and…

Notes that state legislatures across the country are lowering the ages at which the names of those arrested for, charged with, or found guilty of a crime may be made public. Describes how one newspaper staff in an Iowa high school decided to publish the names of students arrested at a large beer party. (SR)

Explores four types of intervention available in treating self-injurious behavior (SIB). One effective, although controversial, treatment in reducing SIB involves use of Self-Injurious Behavior Inhibiting System (SIBIS), a device which delivers a mild electric shock following a blow to the head. Reviews and explains the ethical and legal issues…

Colleges and universities are generally subject to new penalty excise taxes under the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) code on charitable and educational organizations. The law and proposed regulations are explained, with specific attention to how the rules apply to colleges and universities and how these institutions can best protect themselves…

Reviews current arguments posed by supporters of educational tracking and those who oppose it. Research results support the view that tracking as practiced today is detrimental to the U.S. educational system, although the downfall of tracking is likely to result from legal reasons beyond its worst features. (SLD)

InterAmerican College in San Diego (California) is an 18-month-old institution that specializes in helping college-educated immigrants acquire U.S. degrees so they can find jobs that make use of their prior education and skills. Despite obstacles, including lack of accreditation, the state-licensed institution may fill a niche. (MSE)

Researchers asked 151 students enrolled in principal preparation programs at 4 universities to indicate which of 14 motivating and 16 inhibiting factors affected their plans to seek a principalship. Intrinsic factors, such as desire to make a difference, are key motivators. Increased paperwork and litigation threats are detractors. (Contains 23…

Some board members may not have considered whether e-mail is subject to state statutes ensuring that public business is done publicly. E-mail has great potential for exposing a district to liability. Sample open-meeting and/or public-record laws from several states, including California, Florida, and Virginia, are discussed. (MLH)

Reviews existing legal guidance and precedents for governing boards of colleges and universities considering extending or denying domestic-partner (both homosexual and heterosexual) benefits. Considers work force demographics, legal issues, examples of policy implementation, and long- term financial impact of such policies. (DB)

Institutional research parallels preventive law in purpose and practice. Both help minimize problems and identify strengths in reaching institutional goals, identify and evaluate opportunities to accomplish goals, identify problems and solutions, find alternatives needed to minimize problems, and provide insights into future hazards and…

School boards may encounter legal complications when they enter into confidential agreements with problem employees. Case studies are presented involving open-records laws, child-abuse reporting laws, fraud and negligent misrepresentation, public policy, and constructive discharge. Recommendations for dealing with settlement agreements are…

Summarizes a complex Kentucky appeals court ruling upholding a school district's right to administer the Kentucky Instructional Results Information System exam to all students. Parents not allowing their children to take the exam lost their "reasonable accommodation" suit--signalling strong judicial support for the education reform…

As the Internet becomes increasingly commercialized, the K-12 world will need to follow higher education's lead and define who owns a wealth of instructional information. Some companies are actively seeking to purchase teacher-created work. Teachers generally own what they create, but district policies should be in place. (MLH)

Reviews court cases related to discrimination against higher education students in 1999, focusing on gender, race, and disability discrimination. The wide variety of cases does illustrate the importance of standing, relief available, and the threshold the plaintiff must meet to survive the defendant's motion to dismiss or motion for summary…