Teachers and the Law, 9/e

Future teachers and administrators and current school professionals get a comprehensive, user-friendly guide to critical school law topics and issues in this widely popular book. Using a unique question and answer format based on real cases from school districts throughout the country, the authors provide a thorough, wide-ranging understanding of public school law in the United States today. The clear, jargon-free writing style is ideal for readers without a strong legal background, as it eliminates technical and intimidating legal speak in favor of clear, simple explanations. The new edition of Teachers and the Law covers topics of concern today including the rights of transgender students, procedural versus substantive due process, charter schools and vouchers, students’ privacy rights when using computer, and the federal laws affecting disabled students, and includes a discussion of a recent affirmative action case.

Preface    

About the Authors    

1      Teachers and the Legal System    

Overview    

Summary   

Notes    

PART ONE • The Legal Aspects of Teaching

2      Do I Have a Contract?    

Overview    

Creating a Contract    

Express and Implied Contracts    

Breach of Contract    

Summary    

Notes    

3      How Secure Is My Employment?    

Overview    

Acquiring Tenure    

Rights of Tenure    

Dismissal Procedures    

Grounds for Dismissal    

Summary    

Notes    

4      How Does Collective Bargaining Affect Me?    

Overview    

The Right to Organize    

Teachers’ Rights    

Contract Negotiations    

Strikes    

Summary    

Notes    

5      When Am I Liable?    

Overview    

Student Injuries    

Defenses against Liability    

Other Types of Liability    

Damages    

Summary    

Notes    

6      What Constitutes Slander and Libel?    

Overview    

Defamatory Statements about Teachers    

Defamatory Statements about Students    

Public Officials    

Summary    

Notes    

7      How Should I Deal with Child Abuse and Neglect?    

Overview    

Child Abuse and Neglect    

State Reporting Requirements    

Symptoms of Abuse and Neglect    

Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect    

Summary    

Notes    

8      How Does Copyright Law Affect Me?    

Overview    

Introduction to Copyright Law    

Materials Covered by Copyright    

Fair Use    

Copyright Violation    

Summary    

Notes    

PART TWO • Teachers’ and Students’ Rights

9      When Can Schools Restrict Teachers’ Freedom of Expression?    

Overview    

Teachers and Free Speech    

Controversial Issues and Academic Freedom    

Teaching Methods    

Summary    

Notes    

10    When Can Schools Restrict Students’ Freedom of Expression?    

Overview    

The Wooster Case    

The Tinker Case    

Hate Speech Codes    

The Hazelwood Case    

Underground Publications    

Summary    

Notes    

11    When Can Schools Limit Religious Freedom?    

Overview    

Teachers’ Freedom of Conscience    

Religious Holidays    

Students’ Freedom of Conscience    

Summary    

Notes    

12    When Can Schools Limit Freedom of Association?    

Overview    

Student Organizations    

Demonstrations, Protests, and Speakers    

Teachers and Politics    

Political and Social Affiliations    

Oaths of Loyalty    

Summary    

Notes    

13    What Are My Rights to Due Process and to Privacy?    

Overview    

Due Process for Teachers    

Substantive Due Process

Due Process for Students    

Procedural Due Process: The Goss Case

Substantive Due Process for Students

School Searches  

Searches of Teachers  

Searches of Students

Summary    

Notes    

14    How Free Is My Personal Life?    

Overview    

“Immoral” and “Unprofessional” Conduct    

Criminal Conduct    

Lifestyle    

Age, Citizenship, and Disability    

Summary    

Notes    

15    Are Teachers and Students Protected against Racial Discrimination?    

Overview    

School Desegregation    

Racial Discrimination against Teachers and Staff    

Summary    

Notes    

16    Are Teachers and Students Protected against Sex Discrimination?    

Overview    

Sex Discrimination against Teachers    

Marriage and Pregnancy    

Sex Discrimination against Students    

Summary    

Notes    

17    Are There Special Rights for Students with Disabilities and Non-English-Speaking Students?    

Overview    

Educating Students with Disabilities    

Bilingual and Multicultural Education    

Summary    

Notes    

18    Who Controls Student Records?    

Overview    

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act    

What Are the Main Features of the Act?    

Right of Access    

Other Rights    

Legal Enforcement    

Summary    

Notes    

19    Do Parents Have Choices in Educating Their Children?    

Overview    

Compulsory Schooling and Parents’ Rights    

Home Schooling    

Objections to the Curriculum    

Summary    

Notes    

20    When Can Schools Restrict Personal Appearance?    

Overview    

Grooming Standards for Teachers    

Teachers’ Clothing    

Students’ Grooming    

School Dress Codes    

School Uniforms, Gang Clothing, and Message T-Shirts    

Summary    

Notes    

21    Emerging Legal Issues    

Overview    

Accountability in Education

Students: The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001

High-Stakes Testing   

Parents: School Choice

Technology in Education    

School Safety

Rights of Transgender Students

Rights of Homeless Students

Frivolous Lawsuits    

Public Education Funding    

Summary    

Notes    

Appendix A: Selected Provisions of the U.S. Constitution    

Appendix B: Major Federal Laws Affecting Schools    

Appendix C: Other Legal Resources for Teachers    

Glossary    

Index    

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