Educational malpractice developments in America may affect legal accountability of Australian teachers and educational institutions. This paper discusses significant American cases and commentators' observations in the context of the Australian legal system. Teachers should embrace their widening legal responsibility in order to advance…

Six ways of organizing optometry students' experience in the management of ocular disease are outlined and their advantages and disadvantages are discussed. (MSE)

Examined use of age of majority cards (identification indicating legal drinking age status in Ontario) among 3,395 secondary school students. Found card status to be significantly related to frequency of alcohol use, problems, and place of drinking. Found little evidence that age of majority cards are an effective device for limiting access of…

Surrogate motherhood is a path to parenthood filled with legal "potholes" and psychological "rocks." Mental health specialists, especially marital and family therapists, may well be called upon to provide their professional services to people attempting to negotiate it. Introduces a number of potential hazards, presenting the…

The Supreme Court's three 1986 decisions and March 1987 decision concerning affirmative action and their implications for hiring, promotion, layoffs, and admissions in higher education institutions are discussed. (MSE)

Examines legal responses to the problem of media violence. Focuses on: (1) tension between evidence collected by social scientists and traditional First Amendment protections; and (2) legal actions against sexually violent materials to which social science research may be relevant. Suggests ways in which research may be most useful in establishing…

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…

Discusses two recent court cases highlighting the legal pitfalls facing mandatory drug testing programs for teachers and students. In both cases, the courts contended that blanket testing policies violated Fourth Amendment protection from unreasonable search and seizure. Testing of individual teachers and students (under reasonable suspicion) may…

A discussion of jurisprudence and legal philosophy examines twentieth-century developments in four areas: the relation of law and morality, the nature of legal rules and legal concepts, the nature of judicial decision making, and the relation of law to the social sciences. (Author/MSE)

Certain types of crises cry out for legal counsel. Becoming familiar with the basics of media law is suggested for public relations offices. Three types of crises that call for legal advice include: litigation or potential litigation; a violation of a law or regulation; or incidents with any hint of liability. (MLW)

Results of a survey of 447 universities concerning the use of fixed-price contracts for research are presented, and guidelines for the use of such contracts are suggested. (MSE)

Examines phenomenon of unwed fathers seeking custody of offspring. Cites case studies illustrating varied motives of these fathers not necessarily in the child's best interests. Explores custody disputes with prospective adoptive parents and issues of parental and children's rights in terms of their implications for therapists and attorneys.…

Examines legal issues concerning teachers' noninstructional duties. Discusses several factors influencing court decisions that uphold reasonable assignments of noninstructional duty, including courts' reluctance to interfere with school policies. Presents five assignment guidelines for administrators eager to minimize teacher dissatisfaction and…

Implications of the 1985 Supreme Court ruling in Harper & Row v Nation Enterprises, dealing with copyright protection in unpublished material include: ownership of copyrighted works prepared by faculty or students, infringement through performance or classroom use of copyrighted works, and application of fair use to classroom and scholarly…

A recent Pennsylvania case, "Student Coalition for Peace v. Lower Merion School District Board of Directors," has established the principle that outsiders who are not invited by student groups have no right of access to school facilities under the Equal Access Act. (TE)