On June 25, 2007, the United States Supreme Court rendered its decision in "Morse v. Frederick", a long-awaited ruling regarding student speech in public schools. For nearly twenty years, the Supreme Court had been silent on the issue while lower courts attempted to apply the rules announced in previous Supreme Court decisions. It is unclear what…

Saying the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools has generated controversy for more than sixty years. On Flag Day, June 14, 2004, the U.S. Supreme Court sidestepped an opportunity to clarify the constitutionality of public school students reciting "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance. But this issue is not going away. Following the Supreme…

Few topics evoke more emotion than how to discipline children in public schools. And not many people are neutral in their views toward corporal punishment. Surprisingly, the United States stands almost alone on its position regarding the legality of corporal punishment. Among thirty-five industrialized countries, only the United States and the…

Accompanying the explosive growth of the Internet have been concerns about protecting children from viewing pornographic and other harmful images through cyberspace. In the past few years, Congress has passed several acts to censor Internet sites available to children, but only the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) has received Supreme…

Relatively few universities are redesigning preparation for educational leaders. Most curriculum, faculty activities, and attitudes remain constant. Signs of change include emphasis on foundations of education, ethics, and student-centered approaches, and more women in educational leadership faculty. (SK)

Maintains that unless judicial guidance is clear about the application of the First Amendment regarding the origin of life, religious freedoms and the vitality of public education may be jeopardized. (JOW)

Discusses the minimum competency testing movement and the unresolved issues concerning it. Indicates that until the issues are settled, there will continue to be controversy and legal activity. (JOW)

Although few would question the public school's legitimate role in transmitting societal values, controversy surrounds what those values should be and who should make such decisions. School boards should have policies in place to handle curriculum challenges and to establish review committees with broad representation for the selection of…

Reviews court cases about the education of undocumented immigrant children, rights of non-English-speaking children, and employment of immigrant teachers. (SK)