Textbook (Required)
 

Fischer, Teachers and the Law (5th Ed.) New York, Longman
Course Description
Required of all teacher certification students.
Includes overview of legal principles that apply to special areas of education
 

Course Objectives
All students in ED442 upon actively completing the course will be able to:

· Decode law citations and locate specifications in the appropriate reporter

· Describe the legal procedures and steps guaranteed under due process for teachers and students

· Relate general principles of school law that could affect a pre-service teacher’s  personal and professional behavior

· Identify the legal rights and responsibilities which impact teachers and students in todays classroom

· Apply legal principles to simulations and classroom discussions presented by the instructor and peers

· Identify the elements of a legal contract
 

· Identify student rights regarding search and seizure, attendance and student records

· Interpret school law relating to current and unforeseen issues in the school environment
 
 

Attendance
Attendance is valued and mandatory in accordance with the university’s stated policy.
 

Class Requirements
· Students will provide written commentary for each chapter on a 5 X 7 card.  The student is to address:
(a) Topic or issue dealt with and pertinent background
(b) Likely impact on teachers
(c) Likely impact on students
(d) Your opinion or perspective on the issue
(e) 5 X 7 cards will be submitted at the end of class
 

· Students must complete all reading and writing assignments prior to coming to class

· Formal assignments must be typed to insure readability

· Students will be responsible for making presentations to the class.  A significant portion of your grade will be attributed to your oral presentation.  Background data is essential in providing your perspective to a case.  A typed report will accompany your presentation.  Credit will not be granted to those individuals who read their reports.
Suggested Topics for Extra Credit

  AIDS Awareness in the School Setting/A Legal Perspective
  The Instructional Program
  Right to an Education and Procedural Due Process
  Religious Activities in Public Schools
  Student Publications
  Student Discipline
  Racial Segretation
  School Activities/Re: Free Speech
  School Choice
  School Dress Codes
  School Safety
  School Uniforms
  School Violence
  Student Records, Defamation,and Privacy
  Teacher Dismissal
  Employment Discrimination
  Procedural Due Process in Special Education
  Compulsory Schooling
  Home Schooling
  Tracking
  Contract Subject  Agreement w/Dr.Nicholson

      Due Date TBA_______________
 
 

References

Most resources on School Law can be found on the third floor at the Library.  To access any of the following resources, please use the following procedures:

· Go to a computer
· Double click on the icon (Voyager Online Catalog)
· Click local catalog in the upper left hand corner

Search by JOURNAL TITLE; type in PA law and the following reference is available:
· PA law weekly

Search by TITLE; type in school law and the following references are available:
· School law
· School law and the public schools: a practical guide for educational leader
· School law:  cases and concepts
· School law desk book
· School law for teachers
· School law in action:  101 key decisions with guidelines for school administrators
· School law information exchange
· School law journal
· School law reporter
· School law series
· School law service
· School laws of PA
· School laws of PA, with appendix

Search by SUBJECT; type in educational law and legislation and the following are available:
· 22 references on educational law and legislation, PA
· 1 reference on educational law and legislation, PA Digest
· 1 reference on educational law and legislation, Handbooks, manuals, etc.
· 3 references on educational law and legislation, PA Periodicals
· 1 reference on educational law and legislation, Research
· 66 references on educational law and legislation, United States
· 1 reference on educational  law and legislation, US addresses, essays, lectures
· 10 references on educational law and legislation, Cases
· 1 reference on educational law and legislation, Compends
· 2 references on educational law and legislation, Dictionaries
· 7 references on educational law and legislation, Digests
· 1 reference on educational law and legislation, History
· 1 reference on educational law and legislation, Miscellanea
· 6 references on educational law and legislation, Periodicals
· 1 reference on educational law and legislation, Popular works
· 2 references on educational law and legislation, US states
 

GUIDELINES FOR PRESENTATIONS

Content

· Title for presentation
· State your topic within the first couple minutes
· Support your topic/position with literature from resources on your choice
· Remember to start each new idea with a transition from your last idea
· Do not be afraid to take a position on your topic; however, be sure to support your position with literature
· Utilize props such as an over-head projector, poster board(s) and/or handouts as it will enhance your presentation

Style

· Please do not be nervous
· Be sure to speak clearly
· Use index cards to jog your memory or ideas you want to present
· Do not stand at the podium and just read your presentation

· Use inflection in your voice
· Use varying volumes to emphasize your points

· Involve the class in a group discussion before, during and/or after your presentation
· Do not feel bound to the podium; feel free to meander as you speak if applicable
· Be creative

Components of Presentation/Paper

1. You will need to turn in a hard copy of your presentation which should include a
Summary of relevant cases that establishes a particular  principal/law

· State both the litigant’s and defendant’s side

· Explain the rationale behind the decision
 

2. Analyze the current manifestations of the issue(s) at a:

· State, local and Federal level

· Popular press level

· Political level

· Religious level

· Personal level while examining who is for and who is against
*Teachers
*Parents
*School Boards
*Businesses
 

3. Include public school comments from:

· Teachers

· Administrators

· Associations
 

4. What are the implications for you as a future teacher?
 

Laboratory Requirements and Evaluation

1. Complete all assigned readings via media ie computer, periodicals & handouts
2. Students must conduct themselves as  aspiring  professionals at all times
3. All assignments must be typed  to be considered “A” quality in conjunction with superior content and punctuation
4. Grades will be  earned according to the standards of Indiana University of Pennsylvania i.e. 90%-100%= A and so on

TENTATIVE CONTENT SCHEDULE

Week 1
 Orientation, Syllabus Review & Ice Breaker

Week 2
 Chapter 1 Teachers and the Legal System

Week 3
 Chapter 2  Do I Have a Contract?

Week 4
 Chapter 3  How Secure Is My Employment?

Week 5
 Chapter 4  How Does Collective Bargaining Affect Me?

Week 6
 Chapter 9  When Can Schools Restrict Freedom of Expression?

Week 7
 Chapter 12  What Are My Rights Under Due Process?   Teachers/Students

Mid Term Exam  TBA____________________________

Week 8
 Chapter 6  How Shall I Deal With Sex Abuse?

Week 9
 Chapter 13  How Free Is My Personal Life?

Week 10
 Sexual Harrassment
 Selected Documents

Week 11
 Chapter 16  Are There Special Rights for Students With Disabilities?

Week 12
 TBA

Week 13
 TBA

Week 14
 TBA

INTERNET CASE STUDIES  and Resoures

PA School Law     http://www.departments.bucknell.edu/
                             Edu/pa-law/rdlevel 1.html
 

PA Dept of Education    www.pde.psu.edu
 

Chapter 12   Students Rights and Responsibilities

 PA Code

Search Issues in PA School Law
http://ww.departments.bucknell.edu
 

Tinker v Des Moines School District
http://www.tourolaw. edu/patch/Tinker
 

Too Much Freedom of Speech
http://www.ascd.org

Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeir

Alabama & Coushatta Tribes v. Big Sandy School Dist

Gos. V. Lopez

TLO v. New Jersey
Brown v. Board of Ed. Topeka KS

Pickering v. Board of Education

PA School Code 1949