Social media companies are increasingly being called to account for how their apps are affecting young people. Robert Kim explores "In re: Social Media Addiction," a lawsuit that combines multiple cases that have been brought against social media companies for their addictive effects. The cases illustrate the tension between product…

The prevalence rate of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has grown dramatically, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires educators to use evidence-based practices to improve academic and/or behavior outcomes for children with ASD. There is definitive scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of applied behavior…

Public funding of private K-12 schooling through vouchers continues to be a contentious issue across the U.S., even though a solid majority of Americans continues to oppose them. The voucher plans run the risk of legal challenge for how they handle the rights of students with disabilities and whether they violate state constitutional provisions…

In this era of educational choice, school accountability, research-based practices, and commercial competition--illustrated by but not exclusive to No Child Left Behind--some schools, public and private, make claims that resemble false advertising and that some parents rely on, to their disappointment and even detriment. Moreover, the laudable…

The U.S. Supreme Court is applying a new legal standard in court actions involving students' constitutional rights. Instead of basing decisions on the "substantial interference" argument, the Court is giving school officials broad latitude to structure an environment in which students can both learn and develop "socially appropriate…

Considers two lost court suits: in one, a basketball referee was sued for a "bad" call that led to a loss by the team promoted on the litigant's merchandise; in the other, a university was sued for permitting graduating students to throw their mortarboards, one of which injured the litigant. (PGD)

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)

Summarizes the reasoning of a group of legal experts and reform-minded educators who discussed a recently filed suit against the San Francisco Schools. The 18-year-old plaintiff in this case is suing for one million dollars because he can't read. (JF)

Proposes a public-service tax credit that would allow copyright owners of any television program broadcast on the public airwaves to claim a limited tax credit in exchange for school rights to copy programs and retain them indefinitely for face-to-face, nonprofit, instructional purposes. (Author/MLF)

In June of 1982 a Supreme Court decision held that Public Law 94-142 requires only that handicapped students be provided access to specialized instruction and related services designed to provide educational benefit. (Author/JM)

Discusses some Supreme Court rulings that affect the rights of students and teachers. Includes discussion of the balancing test, due process, and equal protection. Offers five principles to guide administrators in interpretating the legal ramifications of school policy. (Author/WD)

Educators should be concerned about the rate of increase in the number of suits claiming educational malpractice. (Author/WD)

Reviews the Supreme Court decision in Texas Department of Community Affairs vs. Burdine that sought to clarify the relative burdens of the parties in employment discrimination cases. (Author/WD)

Delaware Law School founder Alfred Avins successfully sued accreditation team member James White for defamation as a result of comments made in 1974 and 1975. An appeals brief claims Avins was a "public figure," that he consented to accreditation, and that the accreditation process deserves court protection against such suits. (PGD)

Analyzes federal district court case involving legal action against certain companies that produced violent video games, a violent motion picture, or maintained pornographic websites. Parents of three Kentucky high school students shot and killed by another student who regularly viewed the aforementioned material brought suit. The court dismissed…