EDUC670  - Education Law, Ethics, and Politics

PHYSICAL PROXIMITY TO A SCHOOL DISTRICT REQUIRED AND ACCESS MUST BE ARRANGED PRIOR TO THE FIRST WEEK OF THE COURSE. This course explores legal, ethical and politics issues governing K-12 education in America and the legal responsibilities and powers of state and local governing bodies and individuals that arise in elementary and secondary schools. Topics include confidentiality, testing, liability for student injury, due process, search and seizure, staff appraisal, employment discrimination, church/state conflicts, control over the curriculum, the expression of controversial views, issues related to the financing and adequacy of state school finance plans, and the schools' authority to make rules governing student and teacher conduct. Issues surrounding in-school and in-district politics will also be discussed. Contracts, dismissals, tenure, retirement, liability of personnel and district, school district boundary changes, and bonding are also explored. Emphasis is given to federal and state statutes and case law affecting due process, liability, equal protection, and the rights of teachers and students in order to better understand the risks in education management and possible strategies to reduce those risks. (Prerequisite: EDUC503 The Professional Educator; this course may be taken concurrently).