A wide variety of contemporary legal issues are addressed in the 15 separate papers that make up this volume. The introductory chapter by William C. Bednar, Jr. provides a broad-based rationale for "Preventive School Law." Chapters 2 and 3, both by Gerald A. Caplan, review "Current Issues in Reduction-in-Force" and "First Amendment Claims by Public Employees." Chapter 4, by Everett E. Nicholas, Jr., provides comprehensive coverage of recent developments in "Group Insurance, Bond Issuance, and Annuity Programs." Chapter 5, by Eric S. Mondschein, addresses "Legal Responsibility of Educators in Child Abuse." Chapter 6, "Private Schools' Tax Exempt Status and Application of Section 1983," by Ralph D. Mawdsley and Steve Permuth, addresses the conflict between pluralistic education and students' constitutional rights. Chapter 7, "Shall We Pray? The Latest Word from Legislatures and Courts," by Gail P. Sorenson, reviews current legislative and judicial activities on the school prayer issue. In chapter 8, Arlene H. Patterson tells "How to Avoid an Educational Malpractice Suit." Chapter 9, by M. Chester Nolte, provides a model for conducting "Empirical Research on Education Law Issues," while chapter 10, by Nelda H. Cambron-McCabe, reviews "The Changing School Finance Scene: Local, State, and Federal Issues." Chapter 11, by Kristin Olson, reviews "Legal Issues in Asbestos Litigation," while chapters 12 through 14 review civil rights issues: "Seniority Rights and Title VII" by Martha M. McCarthy, "Beyond the Title VII Framework: Racial Quotas and Teacher Employment Policies in School Desegregation Litigation" by Monique Weston Clague, and "Cultural Bias in Special Education Assessment and Placement" by Ernest Rose and Dixie S. Huefner. Chapter 15, by Paul D. Kemp, concludes the volume, advocating a strong "Role of Public Relations in Preventive School Law." (TE)