EDAD 674 School Organization & Law (3 Credits)

About the Course

A study of the principles of K-12 school law. The course addresses legal issues affecting teachers and principals, including church-state issues, school board operations, teacher employment, and student welfare.

Who Needs This Course?

• • Graduate students:
    • PhD (EdAd cognate)
  • This course may also be taken by
    • For continuing education
    • Graduate students of other schools for transfer credit

Time Investment

At least 3 hours/day

Required Textbook

Hachiya, R. F., Shoop, R. J., and Dunklee, D. R. (2014). The principal’s quick-reference guide to school law: Reducing liability, litigation, and other potential legal tangles. (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin. [Available in Kindle]

Course Outcomes

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

1. Identify due process in several biblical patterns for settling conflicts.
2. Understand when legal action is necessary for the Christian.
3. Acquire an understanding of the legal context, education system, and education laws of selected countries.
4. Gain a general knowledge of the principles of school organization and law and their policy implications.
5. Discuss and reflect upon legal cases that have an impact on public and nonpublic education.
6. Analyze current school practices and policies from the standpoint of potential legal and ethical concerns. Such practices include, but are not limited to:
   
   • copyright practices
   • risk and crisis management
   • sexual harassment
   • staff management
   • student discipline
   • student record management and right to privacy
   • student supervision
   • student use of electronic devices

Topics to Cover

Unit 1: Introduction

   The Legal Context and Educational Systems of Selected Countries

Unit 2: The School Board

Unit 3: Church-State Relations

Unit 4: Employment Issues

Unit 5: Negligence: King of Torts

Unit 6: Student Discipline

Unit 7: Abuse and Harassment

Unit 8: Educational Malpractice