Directed at school officials, this paper describes selected civil cases filed against schools since 1976. Cases concerning handicapped students constitute most of such cases; those cited deal with discipline (S-1 v. Turlington) and appropriate residential placement (Hine v. Pitt County Board of Education) of a handicapped child. Discipline cases are also numerous, especially regarding student search (M. M. v. Ander) and corporal punishment (Hall v. Tawney). Sex discrimination in school sports is a frequent charge (O'Conner v. Board of Education). The equal protection case cited deals with school segregation (Adams v. United States). Religion and schools is a hot issue (Widmar v. Vincent; Brandon v. Board of Education). One case (Thomas v. Board of Education) deals with off-campus school publications. Another First Amendment case (Fricke v. Lynch) deals with the right of association. Book banning is at issue in a case to go before the Supreme Court (Pico v. Board of Education). Graduation requirements were challenged by a Missouri case (State ex. rel. Miller v. McLeod). Finally, violence between students formed the basis of another case (Gammon v. Edwardsville Community School District). The paper ends with brief recommendations for avoiding suits. (Author/JM)