This chapter analyzes 1982 decisions involving legal issues in public school employment. Cases in areas of federal law are discussed first, including: discrimination in employment (race, sex, religion, age, and handicap); substantive constitutional rights (speech, association, and religion); and procedural due process (property interest, liberty interest, aspects of notice, and aspects of hearing). Issues of state law are then analyzed. The school board's authority is most often challenged in dismissal and discipline cases where charges include: insubordination, unprofessional conduct or unfitness, immorality, and incompetency; and in reduction-in-force cases involving elimination of position, selection of employee, realignment, and call-back rights. A discussion of contractual disputes, tenure, and certification cases follows. (MJL)