Sources for A213 -- Schools and the Law

• Finding Articles and Cases by Topic
• Citation Formats
• Web Links
• Handbooks, Deskbooks, and Reporters
• Additional Print Resources
• Finding Full Text of a Specific Article
• Research Consultations
• Writing Consultations
• Ask Us

Finding Articles and Cases by Topic

Lexis-Nexis

• Use to find legal news, law review articles, case law, codes, and more
• Recommend against using wireless for accessing large files (e.g., cases)

LegalTrac

• Use to find articles in academic law journals, legal newspapers, and bar association publications
• Law-related items from general interest and business periodicals
• Use the Advanced Search and Subject Search features

HeinOnline Law Journal Library

• Smaller database than LexisNexis; search options not as sophisticated.

Making of Modern Law: U.S. Supreme Court Records and Briefs 1832-1978 

• U.S. Supreme Court Records and Briefs, John Marshall - Warren Burger

Citation Formats

The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation. Gutman Ref. KF245 .B853 2005
The standard authority on legal citation style. Includes the Blue Pages section, a quick guide to most-often used styles, abbreviations, etc. Very useful for decoding case law cites. Written and published annually by the editors of the Columbia Law Review, the Harvard Law Review, the University of Pennsylvania Law Review, and the Yale Law Journal.

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. 6th ed. Gutman Ref BF76.7 .P83 2010
The APA Manual includes very specific rules for citing legal materials in APA format. See Appendix 7.1, "References to Legal Materials." This is clear, useful, and based on the Bluebook.

The Chicago Manual of Style. 15th ed. Gutman Ref Z253 .U69 2003 Online
The Chicago Manual includes a section on legal citations in the chapter "Documentation II: Specific content."

Websites

• One-L Dictionary
  Short definitions of basic law terms that first year law students (1-Ls) encounter in their first few weeks. Harvard Law School Library staff compiled this very handy guide.
• Oyez
  Browse or search cases, opinions, etc. Set up an RSS feed, view videos of interviews with Supreme Court justices, listen to tapes of justices reading opinions, join the blog, link to media coverage of legal activities.
• LII/Legal Information Institute (Cornell University Law School)
• Well-organized site includes Supreme Court opinions, case law, US Code, the Federal Register, large glossary, etc.
• Supreme Court of the United States
  Includes opinions back to 1990, information about the justices, the Court, etc.
• USA.gov
  The US government's official web portal. Includes federal and state law, Supreme Court opinions, USC and CFR in searchable format, and much more.
• Thomas
  Website from the Library of Congress tracks legislation in the current Congress. Includes full text of some versions of legislation under consideration. Also includes full text of public law from 93rd Congress (1973- ) to the present. Includes bill summaries and status from House and Senate bills as well as Joint Resolutions. Includes full text of Congressional Record from 1989 to the present.
• Reading Legal Citations (Boston College Law Library)
• How Our Laws are Made (2003; rev. & updated by Charles W. Johnson, Parliamentarian, United States House of Representatives)

Handbooks, Deskbooks, and Reporters

United States School Laws and Rules. Gutman Ref KF 4105.99 .U55  (2 volumes)
A compilation of federal statutes, regulations, and guidance documents, with research aids, that govern education in the United States. Contains full text or summary of federal laws and rules "referred to most often by education policy-makers, school-board members, school administrators, teachers, and their representatives, other school employees, attorneys, and the general public." (Introduction). Must be used with sources (such as LexisNexis) for state case law, regulations, etc.

Deskbook Encyclopedia of American School Law. Gutman Ref KF 4114 .D46
Arranged by topic, case, and state, this volume summarizes recent (2004) state cases and decisions in all areas of education.

Rapp, James A. Education Law. Matthew Bender. Gutman Ref KF 4119.R36
Looseleaf reporter (updated frequently with new pages) that aims "to offer a comprehensive and current" context for, as well as commentary on, education law, mainly at the federal level. However, many state-specific issues are included. Intended for attorneys, administrators, and others.

Reutter's The Law of Public Education. Gutman Ref KF 4118 .R4
Arranged topically, with very useful introductory essays providing background for the broad legal issues attending each topic. First chapter, "Legal Framework for Public Education," describes the larger framework in which education law exists and functions, including the courts system, legislative and judicial processes and practices, and the role of the US and state constitutions in making case law. Includes glossary and table of cases.

U.S. Supreme Court Education Cases. Gutman Ref KF 4110.3 .U15
Arranges ALL US Supreme Court cases on education by topic, and then chronologically within each topic. Includes summaries of each case and decision, a glossary, and sections of US Constitution of interest to educators.

The Yearbook of Education Law. Gutman Ref KF 4103.5 .Y4 2008
Arranged by topic (substantive rights of pupils; students with disabilities; entitlement to services, etc.). Cites and summarizes recent case law at the state, appellate, and federal level. Overview of significant state and federal cases. Short chapter on international education law.

Additional Print Resources

Cohen, Morris. Legal Research in a Nutshell. Gutman Ref KF 240 .C54 2003
A concise and friendly guide to this daunting area.

Friedman, Lawrence M. American Law: An Introduction. 2nd ed. Gutman KF 387 .F74 1998a
Clear overview of the entire system and its historical and inherent conflicts. Includes chapters on structure and background, courts, legislatures, Federalism, etc.

Finding Full Text of a Specific Article

Use Citation Linker to locate online or print access for a specific article.

Accessing Books and Articles not Available at Harvard

Request books and photocopies of articles not owned by Harvard via interlibrary loan.

Research Consultations

Make a one-hour appointment with a librarian to:

• develop a research strategy
• identify and learn about relevant sources
• work on any research-related question, problem, or skill

To arrange a consultation, contact the Reference Desk (617-495-3421/617-495-3422) or a Research and Instruction Services staff member.

Writing Consultations

Make an appointment with a writing coach to:

• define a research question
• organize the content of your paper
• review and revise drafts
• cite sources appropriately

Sign up for a writing consultation.

For additional information or assistance, contact Gutman Library Research and Instruction Services (617-495-3421/3422 or reference@gse.harvard.edu) or stop by the Gutman Reference Desk.