Discusses U.S. Supreme Court cases during the 2000-01 term. Focuses on federalism, such as the case Solid Waste Agency v. Army Corps of Engineers, No. 99-1178, and cases related to the U.S. Bill of Rights First Amendment, such as United States and Department of Agriculture v. United Foods, Inc., No. 00-276. (CMK)

Focuses on important issues surrounding the opening clauses of the First Amendment on the establishment of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion. Includes articles: "Established Churches in Colonial Times,""Establishment Clause: Here's How to Understand it!", "Religious Freedom and Today's Religious…

Addresses similarities and differences in educational philosophy and practice among alternative schools such as the Free School (Albany, New York) and Summerhill (England). Discusses philosophies of Summerhill's founder A. S. Neill and his belief that children should be loved and accepted and allowed to participate within the school's power…

Provides a brief quiz to test one's understanding of academic freedom. Reviews several court cases on teachers and academic freedom, highlighting the actions of the school, and outcomes of the cases. Includes suggestions for teachers for examining controversial issues in the classroom while accounting for the needs of all involved. (CMK)

"Lassonde" involved a California school district's authority to delete religious proselytizing statements from a student's graduation speech while permitting him to hand out copies of the speech outside the site where the graduation ceremony would be held. The 9th Circuit affirmed the lower court's decision in favor of the school district. (MLF)

Reports an analysis of Australian universities using academics' perceptions of their university-level environment. Focuses on a sample of 514 academics in 26 publicly funded universities who responded to the university-level environment questionnaires. Suggests that new universities must improve their level of research and scholarship to become…

The Supreme Court affirmed in "Mergens" that the Equal Access Act represents a legislative determination that secondary school students are mature enough to be exposed to an open forum. However, schools can either recognize noncurriculum-related groups, restrict student groups to curriculum-related activities, abolish student clubs, or…

Examines the difficulties in identifying and addressing racially offensive speech and behavior at schools; reviews the scope of legal tools available to redress racial harassment; and presents a model for a school racial harassment policy. (67 references) (MLF)

Introduces students to the issues of constitutional free speech, and provides hypothetical situations that allows them to make decisions concerning a proposed action and to identify when free speech is protected by the First Amendment. Each action is based on a legal precedent, and the teacher is provided with case references to aid in classroom…

A suit filed by Steven E. Wynne, who has dyslexia, against the Tufts School of Medicine charged that the school discriminated against him when it refused to provide a test that did not use multiple-choice questions. Tufts filed an appeal saying the decision is an encroachment on academic freedom. (MLW)

Discusses the effects of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision not to enunciate a broad First Amendment protection for student journalists. Examines the decision and provides comments of legal experts and political leaders relative to the impact of the decision in the courts and state legislatures. Reports on teacher and student reactions. (KO)

Outlines a lesson plan for discussing the civil rights of public school students. Uses the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier as a basis for discussing freedom of expression protected by the First Amendment. Provides materials for student use and detailed directions for implementation of the lesson. (KO)

Discusses learning activities on the Internet, and the need to protect students from pornography while also providing for intellectual freedom. Notes the importance of developing a selection policy, involving the community in censorship versus selection discussions, and talking with children and their parents. Provides a list of Web sites for…

Florida's Joint Committee on Information Technology Resources analyzed the impact of technology on the Florida Public Records Law and proposed legislation requiring agencies to consider issues such as encouraging a diversity of sources, the public's right to access, prohibiting monopoly control, and access fees in the development of information…

Legal and educational aspects of the debate over religious expression entering the college classroom are examined, particularly as they relate to inclusion of creationism into science instruction. It is concluded that the central question is not whether creationism is religious, but whether it is true, and that truth benefits from open debate over…