Description
Book SynopsisThis book gives principals the tools they need to avoid lawsuits by teaching their staff the information they need to practice preventive law.Lawsuits often begin when teachers unintentionally violate students' rights such as searching a student's cell phone without reasonable suspicion or failing to follow a student's Individualized Education Program. These violations do not occur because teachers intend to break the law. They occurred because the vast majority of teachers are not required to learn about the rights and responsibilities of students and teachers in their teacher preparation programs. As a result, most teachers get their legal information from the law school of the teachers' loungethat is, from colleagues who are similarly uninformed and misinformed. Instead, what teachers want and need is an in-service program that will provide them with a basic understanding of school law. But most busy principals don't have the time, knowledge and resources to provide such a prog
Trade ReviewThis is a must-have resource for school administrators! Every year, reviewing the school laws applicable to the classroom for teachers protects them from unnecessary interruptions and enables them to do what is best for students. This text makes it accessible and has great activities to generate professional conversations in any school -- Elizabeth Walters, principal, Beech Grove High School
I have used the lesson plans in this book with my entire teaching staff, and they have been incredibly effective. It is amazing how confident, secure, and empowered teachers feel when they know they are on the right side of the law! -- Matthew Kaiser, principal, Northview Middle School
Principals Avoiding Lawsuits offers educational administrators an eminently useable and practical handbook that should be in bookcases in every principal and superintendent's office in the United States. -- Paul Swanson, Principal, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School (Falls Church, VA)
Teachers appreciate quality professional development on complex issues, and Principals Avoiding Lawsuits has been my go-to source for framing discussions on school law. Through the book's relevant cases and examples, my staff has been able to better understand how topics like student freedom of expression or religion and schools apply to their practice. -- Cory Irwin, assistant principal, Central Middle School
Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1: Liability for Student Injuries: Protecting Your Teachers, Your Students, and Your School Chapter 2: Student Freedom of Expression Chapter 3: Special Education Chapter 4: Discipline: Student Due Process and Search and Seizure Chapter 5: Student Harassment and Bullying Chapter 6: Teacher Freedom of Expression Chapter 7: Teacher Out-Of-School Conduct Chapter 8: Religion Chapter 9: Student Records: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Chapter 10: Abuse and Neglect Conclusion: Teaching and Practicing Preventative Law Appendix A: Conducting Legal Research Appendix B: Constitutional and Judicial Sources of Education Law Appendix C: The Court System Index About the Authors
