5+EDLD+5344+School+Law

EDLD 5344 School Law This course provides teachers a foundation to understand the legal and policy dimensions of education. Special emphasis is given to the interpretation of case law, Texas Education Code, and federal and state statutes.

WEEK 1: Establishment and Control of Schools

WEEK 2: Student Rights and School Discipline

WEEK 3: Teacher Rights and Personnel Management

WEEK 4: School Management Issues

WEEK 5: Law, Ethics, and Leadership

Course Outcomes Learning Outcomes: Performance Outcomes:
 * Identify and give examples of the four primary sources of law.
 * Explain appropriate school-governance roles at the federal, state, and local levels.
 * Describe the legal requirements of a free, appropriate public education.
 * Examine the relationship between IDEA and NCLB, and outline the Individualized Education Program meeting process.
 * Explain the concepts of substantive and procedural due process as they relate to student discipline.
 * Summarize concepts and give examples relating to student and teacher rights to free speech and privacy.
 * Define the role of due process in personnel management, and identify effective procedures for the documentation and remediation of personnel.
 * Respond appropriately to both establishment and free exercise issues.
 * Analyze issues related to school liability based on knowledge of state and federal law.
 * Ensure that sound practices are followed regarding the identification and accommodation of students in special education.
 * Apply relevant law to student management situations involving expression rights, search and seizure, and due process rights.
 * Apply relevant legal principles and contractual agreements to manage personnel, including employee remediation and termination.
 * Use legal knowledge to take sound positions on school liability.

Course Standards Great care has been taken to include the content required by the Texas State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC), recommended by national specialty organizations (e.g. NCATE, CEC), and supplemented by Lamar University faculty members. The TExES examinations, where required for certification, reflect standards of this course. Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC) Standards: Standard 3: Candidates who complete the program are educational leaders who have the knowledge and ability to promote the success of all students by managing the organization, operations, and resources in a way that promotes a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment. Standard 3.1: Manage the Organization Standard 3.2: Manage Operations Standard 3.3 Manage Resources Standard 5: Candidates who complete the program are educational leaders who have the knowledge and ability to promote the success of all students by acting with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner. Standard 5.1: Acts with Integrity Standard 5.2: Acts Fairly Standard 5.3: Acts Ethically Standard 6: Candidates who complete the program are educational leaders who have the knowledge and ability to promote the success of all students by understanding, responding to, and influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context. Standard 6.1: Understand the Larger Context Standard 6.2: Respond to the Larger Context Standard 6.3: Influencing the Larger Context