The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act does not specify whether parents or school districts have the burden of proof in special education litigation. It is the position of the National Council on Disability that school districts, not parents, should have the burden of proof in issues about Individualized Education Plans (IEP's),…

The 11th Amendment, ratified in 1798, has proved itself a great source of discussion, even confusion, among many courts in this country. Historical background on the development of the 11th Amendment and its interpretations in different cases sets the context for the rest of this paper, the theme of which involves state immunity from federal…

The Visual Communication section of the Proceedings contains the following seven papers: "Teaching the Use of Color: A Survey of Visual Communication Division Members" (Lyle D. Olson and Roxanne Lucchesi); "The Development of Self- Efficacy in Young Women in Relation to the Perception of Attention to Sexuality as Power in…

Much of the chaos in public school curriculum is a result of issues concerned with authority and governance in curriculum development. Mandates by federal courts, Congressional legislation, state courts, and contracts with professional employees impact on decisions of local education authorities. Needed changes in the structure of curriculum…

Summarizes 16 state court decisions in 15 states concerning equity in statewide school finance systems, in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's San Antonio Independent School District v. Rodriguez" decision. Finds that some state legislatures and courts reformed their finance systems, while others let inequalities continue. (RW)

In examining the state's role in private education, this article discusses court cases bearing on state services to private schools, state regulation of different types of private schools, collaborative efforts between public and private schools, and emerging state attitudes toward private education. (Author/WD)

Reports a replication of earlier research showing no significant differences in dissent between states where the chief judge was chosen by merit and states with arbitrary selection. Suggests the two variables may not be related or may be overshadowed by other considerations. (JAC)

Analyzes "Camlin v. Beecher Community School District (Illinois)," wherein the state appellate court held that the school board violated its own drug policy when it expelled a high school student for allegedly smoking marijuana on a field trip without first offering him an opportunity to enter a drug education program. Court also held…

A decision of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court set a binding precedent which classifies gifted and talented students as exceptional children and requires that resources already in place within school districts be made available to develop individualized education programs for gifted students. (JDD)

The paper discusses the impact of two legal cases. In "Board versus Rowley," the Supreme Court established a three-part standard for appropriate education of students with disabilities. In "Centennial versus Commonwealth," the Pennsylvania Supreme Court held that gifted students merit an Individualized Education Program and…

An Ohio court has overturned a previous ruling that a blind woman be admitted to medical school at Case Western Reserve University, arguing that the accommodations required to graduate her would be unfairly burdensome and would keep her from having the medical experience required of other students. (MSE)

The article reviews school finance litigation since the early 1970s, focusing on federal litigation and state litigation (equal protection claims, state education clauses, and recent litigation). Observations regarding trends and issues as well as the judicial role in school finance reform during the remainder of the 1990s are presented. (SM)

Examines whether federal courts and the application of free-speech standards in academia are the proper ways to deal with the difficult issues faced by higher education. The author argues that they are not, and uses the Levin and Jeffries free-speech cases to illustrate this. (GR)

Analysis of 110 state and federal court decisions from 1950-89 involving medical students and undergraduate medical education found 51 percent were disputes over general issues, most concerning admissions and dismissal. Recently, readmission, course repetition, and cheating have been increasingly addressed. Medical schools have generally prevailed…

South Texas colleges that serve large numbers of minority students have charged that state budget formulas favor flagship institutions serving fewer minority students. A recent state supreme court ruling found that, although Mexican border institutions have historically received less higher education money, increased support has begun. (MSE)