THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THIS DOCUMENT: A federal judge in New York has ruled that, under federal copyright law, a group of Buffalo area school districts cannot videotape the televised works of three filmmakers - even for temporary educational purposes. U.S. District Judge John Curtin's decision deals another blow to the Erie County Board…

Six sets of emerging issues that could involve specific students and classroom situations are discussed here: class suspensions and due process, class rules and teacher inconsistency, classroom equality of opportunity, competency testing, classification of students, and classroom management in alternative schools. (Author)

Describes a complex case involving termination of a third-grade teacher with recurrent tuberculosis. The United States Supreme Court upheld a circuit court's ruling that the teacher's condition satisfied section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act protecting handicapped persons against discrimination. Since contagiousness was not addressed, the…

To halt "white flight" to the suburbs occurring since a 1969-70 court decision imposed cross-town busing, neighborhood schools should be reinstated. The board's decision was challenged by the United States District Court, upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals (Fourth Circuit), and may become a Supreme Court case. (MLH)

A review of court decisions about teacher testing programs shows that tests must be equitable and fair, must not be used to discriminate by race or sex, and that adequate notice to teachers is required. (MLF)

A district court decision that the firing of a bisexual counselor violated free speech and equal protection of the law was reversed by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Although the United States Supreme Court declined to review the case, Justices Brennan and Marshall wrote dissenting opinions claiming unresolved constitutional issues. (MLF)

According to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, a teacher sentenced to probation as a first offender for residing in an apartment where marijuana was grown and used was improperly dismissed from her teaching position despite a state law protecting first offenders, but remained subject to dismissal for misconduct. (PGD)

In recent years a growing number of state boards of education have established mechanisms to ensure dialog between public school policymakers and their nonpublic school counterparts. Outlines the methods used in four states: Florida, Louisiana, New York, and Ohio. (MD)

Outlines the history of private education and the development of secular education in American public schools. Changes in growth in the private school sector seem to occur in response to public school treatment of religious values. (MD)

A recent Supreme Court decision on a First Amendment case involving a teacher in Texas illustrates how teachers' and other public employees' rights to freedom of speech face serious erosion. The problem is deciding whether grievances fall into the protected area of "public concern" or the unprotected area of a "purely private…

Reviews the status of Supreme Court deliberations in questions surrounding a New Jersey school's search of a student's purse. The state courts found the search unreasonable and reversed a lower court decision. (MD)

Decisions in recent court cases seem to show that comparable worth will not provide a remedy for allegedly sex-biased salary inequities. (MD)

Educators are reluctant to report child abuse and neglect because they are not sure how abuse and neglect are defined, they are inadequately informed about the reporting process, and they fear prosecution. Most states make failure to report illegal, and courts tend to support educators making reports in good faith. (PGD)

Peter D. Roos comments in an interview on developments in the area of student rights in the 10 years since he successfully represented the plaintiff in "Goss vs. Lopez." (PGD)

Since school busing has not desegregated schools, a plan is presented allowing students to transfer with free transportation within a school district. If this plan is not adopted, the need is cited for federal legislation that prohibits compulsory busing from placing a burden on any race. (MD)