This guide is intended to provide information to Massachusetts school districts and families regarding the availability of, access to, and payment mechanisms for assistive technology devices and services. The first section answers 13 questions concerning topics such as the difference between an assistive technology device and an assistive…

School board members generally understand the ramifications of the open meeting and public records of their states; however, they may not know whether their use of e-mail is subject to these laws. Legally, e-mail has as much potential exposure to liability as any other communication subject to the state open-meeting law, or as any unprivileged…

The Hearing before the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Youth and Families of the Committee on Education and the Workforce was held on June 23, 1998. Statements are presented by various educators in public education and in charter schools, U.S. Representatives, the assistant secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education, and members of his…

This report is the third in a series of independent analyses by the National Council on Disability on federal enforcement of civil rights laws. This report looks at the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) enforcement activities from 1990 to 1999 of four key federal agencies: the Department of Justice, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission…

Motion-picture films have come to be recognized quite generally as a valuable and practical means of instruction in schools, college, and universities and for clubs and societies organized for educational purposes. The number of persons making such use of them is now very large and constantly becoming larger. To all these, a handbook of general…

Urges community college division heads to be aware of their legal rights and responsibilities and develop policies guaranteeing students' contractual and constitutional rights. Discusses litigation in academic affairs; the need for well-developed syllabi; course, program, and faculty evaluation; liability for negligence; testing and advising…

Economic dependence on federal support has increased while the debate over the nature and scope of government influence on higher education continues. Examples of this influence in hiring and admissions, academic policy-making, research regulation, and support of private institutions are discussed. (Author/MSE)

Elements of the program and services adopted by the University of Minnesota-Duluth in response to Section 504 are outlined, including objectives, limits of responsibility, necessary qualifications for a coordinator of disabled-student services, and funding. The program is intended as supportive rather than rehabilitative. (MSE)

Analyzing legislation pertaining to state involvement in religious education and sectarian influences on public education, the author presents evidence that the judiciary is becoming more lenient in allowing state aid to parochial schools and religious activities in public schools. (SK)

Recommendations by the American Council on Education for priorities in federal legislation are made concerning student aid, institutional and program aid, research support, armed forces, tax credits and incentives, medical services, social reforms, employment and handicapped policies, truth-in-testing, regulatory reform, and equal education. (MSE)

The role of college lay governing boards in the 1980s is addressed. Focus is on trustees' responsibilities with respect to litigation, government regulation, private gifts and tax reform, academic tenure, faculty unions, interinstitutional cooperation, deferred maintenance of college buildings, accreditation, and public image. (JMD)

The history and operation of Executive Order 11,246--which prohibits racial discrimination by employers who are federal contractors--are examined, and fundamental constitutional issues, raised in recent decisions regarding the order, are explored. Topics include obligations imposed, sanctions for noncompliance, and validity of the affirmative…

Federal regulations regarding the handicapped pose problems for recipients of federal aid, but higher education's reactions have been more positive than negative. The principle problems seem to be compliance costs, the need for interpretation of the regulations, and difficulties in the areas of admissions and academic requirements. (Author/JMD)

Discusses how the federal Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) affects the wages and work hours of child care employees and how FLSA interacts with analogous state laws. Examines how child care centers can determine whether FLSA regulations apply to them, existing exemptions to the current act, minimum wage and overtime, whether training time is working…

Pricing and financial aid issues affecting research universities, particularly private universities, are examined, including underpricing of services, decentralization, and diversification of higher education in the United States. The growth of federal regulation is also considered, especially the State Postsecondary Review Entities (SPREs)…