Court decisions on educational issues are often based on an interpretation of the due process or equal protection clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment. This paper provides educators with a better understanding of the continuing development of this important amendment. (Author)

It is suggested that the Supreme Court's resolution of the DeFunis case and a memorandum from Peter Holmes, director of the Civil Rights Office, could mark the beginning of an undeclared period of retrenchment in the areas of minority group rights. Effective strategies need to be formulated to develop a creative affirmative action policy and to…

This paper discusses the Supreme Court's treatment of the issues in Bakke v. Regents of University of California and its implications for admissions programs. Bakke raised two basic issues in his reverse discrimination suit. First, he argued that Davis's medical school admission program was illegal under Title VI. Second, he claimed…

A RESOURCE UNIT FOR TEACHERS IS PRESENTED. IT AIMS AT EXPLAINING THE RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES OF A CITIZEN, DEVELOPING THE PRINCIPLES AND CONCEPTS OF DEMOCRACY, AND DEVELOPING THE ABILITY TO THINK CRITICALLY ABOUT QUESTIONS OF INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. SUGGESTED METHODS FOR TEACHING THE UNIT INVOLVED--THE USE OF CASE STUDIES, MASS MEDIA…

This paper brings together and discusses the implications of various statements of children's rights and legislation protecting children. The Declaration on the Rights of the Child, proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 20 November 1959 is detailed in terms of individual and social rights. The new (1979) Youth Protection Act…

This report addresses the denial of suffrage to mentally disabled persons institutionalized in Pennsylvania. The case study of Pennhurst Center patients who tried to vote in the 1976 election is described. Pertinent Pennsylvania statutes and current voting practices are analyzed. A national overview of the problem along with community and…

In order to provide women educational researchers with equal opportunities, the author proposes that women's affirmative action plans with respect to educational research be instituted, and that the American Educational Research Association (AERA) play a central role in their institution. What is necessary in a women's affirmative action plan for…

This document analyzes different approaches to the goal of equal educational opportunity and discusses the judicial role in achieving it. One approach argues that equal dollars or equal facilities and services must be provided to each pupil. Some people have contended that racially segregated schools deprive minority students of an equal…

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution require different formats for analyzing claims of gender-based discrimination. (Author/IRT)

Categorizing human rights into two classes, welfare rights and option rights, this article seeks to use the argument for ascribing and/or denying human rights to children as a vehicle for exploring the concepts involved with formulating an adequate theory of human rights, and further seeks to resolve some apparent contradictions within the child's…

Discussed are the necessity of ERA; its affect on combat service, states' rights, husband's support duty, alimony, custody and support of children in a divorce, "protective labor standards laws" applying to women only, and property rights of married women, especially homemakers; and whether a state legislature may rescind an original…

The Supreme Court issued an unclear decision in "Wygant v. Jackson Board of Education." The case generated five opinions that do not agree on a single set of legal principles to give needed guidance to public officials. Includes discussion of two other cases relating to affirmative action and hiring practices. (MD)

This article discusses the basic legal parameters concerning homosexual student groups. The courts will not permit state colleges to arbitrarily control the nature of student associations by denying privileges of official recognition to those groups whose philosophy they abhor. A gay group on a state-supported campus must be accorded the same…

Presents a series of viewpoints on current educational issues, in particular on educational finance. Equitable school financing is seen as having an uncertain future in light of the Rodriguez decision and the failure of Oregon's school finance plan. The cutback of federal impact aid has created problems for school districts in the education of…

One of several articles dealing with Crime and Punishment, this paper reviews difficulties stemming from centuries of change without true revision. (JB)