Bible verses on cheerleading banner OK: Texas court
A ruling has been handed down in favor of Texas high school cheerleaders who cheered the school's football team on last fall with sayings taken from the Bible.
Name That Verdict
Louisiana voucher law ruled unconstitutional
It is unconstitutional (at least in Louisiana) to divert tax dollars away from public schools and give those funds to private schools or other for-profit education providers.
Free speech vs prostitution at the Supreme Court
The government requires organizations that receive federal funding for outreach efforts to prevent the spread of AIDS to have an explicit anti-prostitution policy. It's a 1st Amendment question.
Teacher on leave; had students write why Jews are evil
If a teacher assigns a persuasive essay that makes students develop an argument that Jews are evil, can the teacher be put on leave or dismissed? It's a 1st Amendment question.
Cellphone search illegal if based only on past drug abuse
The 6th Circuit has ruled that school officials can't search text messages on a student's cellphone just because that student has a history of drug abuse and suicidal thoughts.
High textbook costs & the US Supreme Court
The Supreme Court ruled that US copyright law supports legally purchasing a textbook in a foreign country, where prices are usually cheaper, importing it to the US, and selling it for a profit.
Two standards govern student free speech
The Second Circuit recently found that schools could bar certain religious references at school-sponsored ceremonies and assemblies.
Court upholds dismissal of counselor over book
A federal district court in Illinois has ruled that Rich Twp HS Dist 227 didn't violate a guidance counselor's free speech rights when they fired him based on a "self-help" book he wrote about relationships.
Theft of school funds: 2 Chicago-area cases
Two cases of theft of school funds this year lead us to examine the elements of theft, as found in research: a motivated perpetrator, the presence of the target, and favorable conditions at the location of the crime.
The Constitution & a state championship series
Editorial judgement in our ongoing report of a poll about the possibility of an Illinois state championship series in marching band developed by the IHSA requires us to look at a case appealed last year to the Seventh Circuit.