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…

Considers ethical issues faced by special libraries concerning access to information and the needs of clients, the organization, and society. Topics discussed include collection development policies; physical access; user fees; organizational loyalty versus intellectual freedom; social responsibility; and personal values. (Contains 10 references.)…

The U.S. Supreme Court decision that it is unconstitutional for public entities to ban specific kinds of "fighting words" without banning all such speech is discussed as it concerns institutions of higher education. It is viewed that the college campus, not the cities, is where this decision will be tested. (GLR)

A carefully structured process for campus administrative decision making concerning hate speech is proposed and suggestions for implementation are offered. In addition, criteria for evaluating hate speech processes are outlined, and First Amendment principles circumscribing the institution's discretion to regulate hate speech are discussed.…

Presents highlights of the 1992 American Library Association Midwinter Meeting, including actions of the Executive Board, subgroups of the Association of College and Research Libraries, Intellectual Freedom Committee, Committee on Accreditation, and Video Round Table and discussion of White House conference followup, patron behavior policies, the…

Examines recent Supreme Court opinions to illustrate how the justices are reinterpreting the First Amendment. Discusses student freedom of expression, freedom of religion, the free exercise clause, and the establishment clause. Concludes that a perceived trend in court decisions to limit freedom of religion and expression requires teachers to help…

In "Kinsey," a fired superintendent claimed a violation of free expression and association rights by his employing board of education. Examines similar cases and contends that public defiance or disloyalty by a principal or superintendent exceeds the tacit limits of intra-administrative disagreement. (108 footnotes) (MLF)

Widely accessible networked computing reduces important barriers to learning, gives students real-world tools for real-world problems, and broadens practical collegiality. The challenge is to ensure that members of the electronic community understand the legal and ethical boundaries they must respect. This is essentially an educational issue. (MSE)