The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a limited tool for science reporters seeking information about federally funded university research. The act applies only to information that is considered a "record" in possession of an "agency," both as defined by the act. Most university research and most universities do not meet the…

Classroom speech of public-school teachers is a messy subject with regard to the tension between various societal demands and basic rights of students, teachers, and others at school sites. The demands are not always consistent, and rights are subject to different interpretations depending on which court decision forms the underlying basis for a…

Raphael Cohen-Almagor's article "Hate in the Classroom: Free Expression, Holocaust Denial, and Liberal Education" (2008) calls for sanctions on those K-12 public school teachers whose deployment of "hate speech"--and/or associations with others who deploy it--creates a "poisoned environment" in the classroom. While…

This compilation of materials from the SLATE (Support for the Learning and Teaching of English) Steering Committee of the National Council of Teachers of English reflects the ongoing concerns and discussions that SLATE has held about the free exchange of thoughts and ideas throughout its history. The collection contains "starter sheets"…

A feminist perspective can be valuable in analysis of hate speech, but the analysis must connect with other social, political, and cultural perspectives such as race, class, sexual orientation, unity, and diversity. Hate speech has emerged as a contemporary political issue and is particularly visible on college and university campuses. Judicial…

During the period from 1630 to 1690, the Puritans were not arbitrary oppressors of free speech. They believed that public expression was valuable and necessary. They restricted only ungodly print or speeches by heretics and blasphemers. Within the boundaries of godly expression, Puritans encouraged discussion for the better enlightenment of…

This essay explores the various definitions of "civitas" and how those definitions have valuable lessons for people. "Civitas" means both a political community or government, especially as found in a republic, and the kind of citizenship a republic requires. Specifically the paper examines the role of government in education…

Recent court philosophy has introduced the concept of court-sanctioned "punitive speech." In response to the rising concern over drunken driving and other crimes, many courts are using public humiliation, in the form of public apologies or bumper stickers/license plates that proclaim the crime, as a form of punishment. The key question…

Five hundred delegates from 50 nations met in Berlin, July 30-August 6, at the 24th annual Assembly of the World Confederation of Organizations of the Teaching Profession (WCOTP). The theme of the 1975 Assembly was "Teachers and the Political Process". Discussion brought out some restrictions placed upon teachers by their respective governments.…

Is private higher education worth preserving? The author answers this question with an emphatic yes, asserting that the fundamental principles to which the private sector is committed can only be reaffirmed. Muller explores four reasons why private institutions are indispensable to postsecondary education in this country. (Editor)

A discussion of the privileges, immunities, and exemptions of which academic life once consisted suggests an erosion of the old code of academic honor on which those privileges rested. (JH)

A national survey of two- and four-year college journalism advisors indicates that there is censorship of the student press for a variety of reasons. (RB)

Recent historical discoveries indicate that the co-owner of the "Boston Gazette" played a major role in the formation of the Sons of Liberty and kept the newspaper in the forefront of anti-British activity. (RB)

Presents in a letter format a review of the value of scholastic journalism to high school students. (RB)

Describes the banning of an earth science book, THE FACE OF TIME, in Alberta, Canada, from elementary schools because the book describes the geologic history of western Canada in a theory of evolution manner. The author identifies this to caution earth scientists about recent decisions on instructional materials elsewhere. (BR)