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Reports on the legislative bill passed by the Illinois General Assembly that would grant more flexibility in how students with disabilities are assessed under the U.S. educational law No Child Left Behind Act, in 2005. Plan of state Governor Rod Blagojevich to sign the measure; Changes agreed by the U.S. Education Department to make it easier for Illinois' schools and districts to make adequate yearly progress.

Reports on the application of the 2 percent testing flexibility in schools in Maryland. Appeal of the Van Bokkelen Elementary School to the Maryland State Department of Education regarding its No Child Left Behind Act status; Reaction of Maneka Wade, district spokeswoman for Van Bokkelen, to the decision of the State Department of Education; Significance of the action taken by the Van Bokkelen Elementary School to schools in the state.

Reports on the plan of the government of Connecticut to challenge the provisions of the U.S. No Child Left Behind Act in court. Views of State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal regarding the law's requirement that students be tested annually in grades 3 to 8; Criticisms that the law imposes an illegal, unconscionable unfunded mandate; Increase in penalties for schools failing to make adequate yearly progress.

Reports on the extension of the scope of Title IX law that allow school employees who report sex discrimination to file retaliation claims. Concern of school board members regarding the expansion of the law; Significance of the expansion of the law according to U.S. Supreme Court Judge Sandra Day O'Connor; Reason behind Judge Clarence Thomas' opposition to the law expansion.

Focuses on the position of U.S. Supreme Court nominee John G. Roberts Jr. in issues related to education in the country in August 2005. Opposition of Roberts to affirmative actions in schools; efforts of Roberts to promote educational opportunity in the nation; His criticisms against the plans of the Commission on Civil Rights.

Reports on a lawsuit, which was returned to a state trial court, over the refusal of the state government of California to allow English-language learners to be tested in their native languages or in simplified English, on June 29, 2005. Claims of the state government for moving the dispute to the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California; Grounds for Judge William Alsup to reject the notion; Implication of the ruling for the plaintiffs according to Marc Coleman, the lawyer who is helping the plaintiffs.

Reports on the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by the Ottawa Township High School District No. 140 alleging it was forced to change students' academic plans so it could comply with the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) in the U.S., without regard for what the students' individualized education programs dictated. Argument of Judge David H. Coar on the lawsuit; Types of NCLB challenges pending; Remarks from Ray Hauser about the court's decision. INSET: Governor gives go-ahead for Connecticut lawsuit.

Reports that U.S. Judge Lawrence K. Karlton indicated that he plans to narrow the scope of atheist Michael Newdow's lawsuit challenging the phrase under God in the Pledge of Allegiance. Year the Congress inserted the phrase into the pledge; Information on the lawsuit filed by Newdow.

Focuses on the issue concerning the nomination of John G. Roberts Jr. to the U.S. Supreme Court justice. Career background of Roberts in the field of legal service; Comments from Julie Underwood, general counsel for the National School Boards Association, regarding the nomination of Roberts; Involvement of Roberts in several education court cases. INSET: 'French fry' case provides sneak preview of Roberts.

Presents information on the possibility the First U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision on the Comfort Versus Lynn School Committee case to establish a blueprint for school districts to adopt a race-based admissions plans. Overview of the ruling; Rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court upon which the First Circuit based their decision; Traits of Lynn that helped the cause of the race-conscious plan. INSET: High court may weigh in.

Focuses on the dissenting opinions written by two U.S. Supreme Court justices, Antonin Scalia and John Paul Stevens, on the two Ten Commandment decisions handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court. Comments from Scalia regarding Stevens' dissenting opinion in Van Orden v. Perry Supreme Court case; Argument made by Stevens regarding his Van Orden dissent; Inability of Scalia to point to any persuasive historical evidence or entrenched traditions in support of Stevens' decision.

Reports on the lawsuit filed by the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools against the U.S. Education Department over federal funds. Background on the case; Comment of Arizona State Board for Charter Schools executive director Kirsten Jordison on the case. INSET: No welcome here.

Focuses on issues on state education voucher program heard by the Florida Supreme Court. Judgment of the District Court of Appeal in the case Bush versus Holmes against Opportunity Scholarships program; Reason of several students for using the scholarship program; Possible effect of the program on the state's free public education system.

Reports on the refusal of the U.S. Supreme Court to consider a lawsuit filed by the Wrestling Coaches Association against the Department of Education in June 2005. Background of the complaints raised against the public sector; Implications of the lawsuit for gender equality in colleges and universities; Ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D. C. Circuit in the case.