School Law and Personnel

Course Details

Course Number: 5623  Fall 2010

Days & Times:

Online class

Course Attachments

Textbooks
MSU Faculty Member
Dr. Jane Owen   
view Profile »

Course Objectives

 To be able to apply legal guidelines (e.g. in relation to students with disabilities, bilingual education, confidentiality, discrimination) to protect the rights of students and staff and to improve learning opportunities (TExES competency 003d)
• To be able to apply laws, policies, and procedures in a fair and reasonable manner (TExES competency 003e)
• To be able to demonstrate the ability to explain how the legal and political systems and institutional framework of schools have shaped a school and community, as well as the opportunities available to children and families in a particular school (NCATE standard 6.1b).
• To be able to demonstrate an understanding of the policies, laws, and regulations enacted by local, state, and federal authorities that affect schools, especially those that might improve educational and social opportunities (NCATE Standard 6.1d).
• To be able to demonstrate an understanding of how to apply legal principles to promote educational equity and provide safe, effective, and efficient facilities (NCATE standard 3.2c; TAC F-5).
 
Ethics:
• To be able to make and explain decisions based upon ethical and legal principles (NCATE Standard 5.3a).
 
 


Course Expectations

 

Course Requirements

Regular contact is expected.  Please monitor your WebCT/Blackboard email at least every 24 hours in order to maintain contact with your instructor.

Your grade will be figured as follows:

  • Written legal critique (case to be assigned)                      15%
  • Personnel documentation assignment                               10%
  • Interview with a school lawyer                                                10%
  • Other weekly assignments                                                      50%
  • Final Exam                                                                                  15%

 Quality Requirements:“Turning in” all assignments is not enough to insure an “A” in the course. Quality of work is the most important criterion for receiving an “A.”  See further information below.

 Expectations for Written Work:

Correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling are expected on all written assignments (although web discussions are not held to the high standard of a formal paper or other written assignment).

 Written assignments should be done on a word processor in Microsoft Word and submitted to the assignment box in WebCT/Blackboard.

 Due dates must be honored in order to receive the highest grade. While some leeway may be given in special circumstances, late work will not be routinely accepted.

Professional dialogue opportunities: because this is an on-line class, it would be easy to feel isolated.  Research shows that professional learning communities are a powerful venue for learning and, therefore, we will use our technology to create this kind of learning community.  It is critical that you participate thoughtfully and meaningfully in weekly discussions and any other on-line opportunities to discuss the subject matter and share ideas.

 

           


Submission Format Policy

APA 6th edition



Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

 

Due dates must be honored in order to receive the highest grade. While some leeway may be given in special circumstances, late work will not be routinely accepted.  Please discuss any special situations with the professor BEFORE the assignment is due.


Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

No attendance policy--online class.


Other Policies

 

SYLLABUS
EDLE 5623: SCHOOL LAW AND PERSONNEL

Fall 2010

 

An On-Line Class

 

Dr. Jane Owen
Office Phone:  940-397-4073
Home Phone:  580-299-3274
Virtual Office:  jane.owen@mwsu.edu
Office:  306 Ferguson

 

Textbooks/Resources

 

 

Walsh, J., Kemerer, F., Maniotis, L. The educator’s guide to Texas school law. 6th edition, Austin: The University of Texas Press.

 

 

Kemerer, F., and Crain, J (2006). Texas documentation handbook: Appraisal, nonrenewal, termination. 4th edition.

 

Course Rationale:
 

EDLE 5623 School Law and Personnel provides an overview of the legal issues most likely to be encountered by a school administrator and implications for educators. The course begins by examining the basic legal framework of school law in Texas by discussing the sources of school law and the roles of the state and federal governments in the establishment and operation of the Texas School system. Following the review of the legal structure of the Texas school system, major topics in education law are presented. Additionally, specific information regarding personnel law will be included.

 

 

Course Standards:
 

All Midwestern State University Educational Leadership classes are built around the Educational Leadership Consortium Council (ELCC) Standards.These standards form the framework for the course, and they are as follows:

 

ELCC 3.1

Manage the Organization

a.      Candidates demonstrate the ability to optimize the learning environment for all students by applying appropriate models and principles of organizational development and management, including research and data driven decision-making with attention to indicators of equity, effectiveness, and efficiency.

b.     Candidates develop plans of action for focusing on effective organization and management of fiscal, human, and material resources, giving priority to student learning, safety, curriculum, and instruction.

c.      Candidates demonstrate an ability to manage time effectively and deploy financial and human resources in ways that promote student achievement.

ELCC 3.2

Manage Operations

c.      Candidates demonstrate an understanding of how to apply legal principles to promote educational equity and provide a safe, effective, and efficient facility.

ELCC 3.3

Manage Resources

a.      Candidates use problem-solving skills and knowledge of strategic, long-range, and operational planning (including applications of technology) in the effective, legal, and equitable use of fiscal, human, and material resource allocation and alignment that focuses on teaching and learning.

ELCC 5.3

Acts Ethically

a.      Candidates make and explain decisions based upon ethical and legal principles.

ELCC 6.1 Understanding the Larger Context

b.     Candidates demonstrate the ability to explain how the legal and political systems and institutional framework of schools have shaped a school and community, as well as the opportunities available to children and families in a particular school.

d.     Candidates demonstrate an understanding of the policies, laws, and regulations enacted by local, state, and federal authorities that affect schools, especially those that might improve educational and social opportunities.

ELCC 6.3 Influence the Larger Context

a.      Candidates demonstrate the ability to engage students, parents, and other members of the community in advocating for adoption of improved policies and laws.
 

 

Course Objectives

  • To be able to apply legal guidelines (e.g. in relation to students with disabilities, bilingual education, confidentiality, discrimination) to protect the rights of students and staff and to improve learning opportunities (TExES competency 003d)
  • To be able to apply laws, policies, and procedures in a fair and reasonable manner (TExES competency 003e)
  • To be able to demonstrate the ability to explain how the legal and political systems and institutional framework of schools have shaped a school and community, as well as the opportunities available to children and families in a particular school (NCATE standard 6.1b).
  • To be able to demonstrate an understanding of the policies, laws, and regulations enacted by local, state, and federal authorities that affect schools, especially those that might improve educational and social opportunities (NCATE Standard 6.1d).
  • To be able to demonstrate an understanding of how to apply legal principles to promote educational equity and provide safe, effective, and efficient facilities (NCATE standard 3.2c; TAC F-5).

 

Ethics:

  • To be able to make and explain decisions based upon ethical and legal principles (NCATE Standard 5.3a).

 

Course Requirements

Regular contact is expected.  Please monitor your WebCT/Blackboard email at least every 24 hours in order to maintain contact with your instructor.

 

Your grade will be figured as follows:

 

  • Written legal critique (case to be assigned)                      15%
  • Personnel documentation assignment                               10%
  • Interview with a school lawyer                                         10%
  • Other weekly assignments                                                 50%
  • Final Exam                                                                        15%

 

 

Quality Requirements:“Turning in” all assignments is not enough to insure an “A” in the course. Quality of work is the most important criterion for receiving an “A.”  See further information below.

 

Expectations for Written Work:

Correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling are expected on all written assignments (although web discussions are not held to the high standard of a formal paper or other written assignment).

 

Written assignments should be done on a word processor in Microsoft Word and submitted to the assignment box in WebCT/Blackboard.

 

Due dates must be honored in order to receive the highest grade. While some leeway may be given in special circumstances, late work will not be routinely accepted.

 

 

Professional dialogue opportunities: because this is an on-line class, it would be easy to feel isolated.  Research shows that professional learning communities are a powerful venue for learning and, therefore, we will use our technology to create this kind of learning community.  It is critical that you participate thoughtfully and meaningfully in weekly discussions and any other on-line opportunities to discuss the subject matter and share ideas.

 

           

 

 

Academic Honesty

            MSU students demand of themselves the highest level of academic honesty as delineated in their honor creed. Academic honesty involves the submission of work that is wholly the student’s own work, except in the case of assigned group work. Additionally, academic honesty involves the proper citation of other author’s works.

            By enrolling in this course, the student expressly grants MSU a “limited right” in all intellectual property created by the student for the purpose of this course. The “limited right” shall include but shall not be limited to the right to reproduce the student’s work product in order to verify originality and authenticity, and for educational purposes.

 

Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.