EDEL 7730 School Law

Education, particularly public education, is a reflection of today's society. Complex legal issues confront students and teachers in the public education classrooms of our nation. This course provides educators with an overview of legal doctrines applicable to the school setting including those dealing with truancy curriculum, due process rights of all students and teachers, freedom of speech, expression, and all religion, student publications, search and seizure, student discipline, sexual harassment and discrimination, student records, student testing, terms and conditions of teacher employment and other constitutional rights of teachers. Attention will be given to multicultural legal issues in education when appropriate. Particular attention will be given to those contemporary laws that influence the teaching-learning process, as well as the laws governing and protecting the rights of all students from varied backgrounds and all teachers in the public schools. Through classroom and field­ based activities the candidate will have the opportunity to increase his/her awareness of legal perspectives and to have the opportunity to reflect upon them in the context of the classroom. The use of technology in researching and presenting content on the part of the candidate is an integral part of the course.

Registration Name

School Law

Lecture Hours

3

Lab Hours

0

Credits

3

Offered

Online: Spring

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the candidate will be able to:

 

• Apply knowledge, basic concepts, terminology, and understanding of landmark cases in education law in decision-making while considering the impact of decisions on children and families.
• Demonstrate an understanding of First Amendment freedoms and religion in the public schools.
• Demonstrate an understanding of First Amendment freedoms and speech in the public schools.
• Demonstrate an understanding of legal and practical guidelines for search and seizure in the school setting.
• Apply the constitutionally guaranteed Due Process and Equal Protection rights in all circumstances involving members of the school community.
• Understand and equitably apply legal mandates regulating special education.
• Demonstrate an understanding of employment law as it pertains to school district employees.
• Demonstrate an understanding of policies and procedures necessary to limit liability issues in schools.