INSTRUCTOR: Bill Thoms

This course focuses on the laws that govern America’s public school system and home schooling, including student rights regarding discipline, suspension, personal grooming, testing and grading, and drug testing. Topics such as segregation, integration, dress codes and drug testing are essential not only for paralegals seeking full or part-time law office employment, but also for teachers, school counselors, and administrators working in the American education system.

EXPECTATIONS: This is an accelerated course. You will be expected to spend an average of about 8 hours per week reading and completing assignments. Please note that, barring extenuating circumstances, extensions will not be granted for this online course. This course is the equivalent of 45 course contact hours. 70% is the minimum passing score on all tests and assignments for this course.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the legal issues involved in the American education system.

REQUIRED TEXT: The required text for this course is The Law of Schools, Students and Teachers, Alexander and Alexander, 3rd or 4th Edition, Nutshell Series, and may be purchased from The Center for Legal Studies. Call 1-800-522-7737 or visit our store on this site to order.

Reading Assignments for Lesson Topics:
Lesson One: Attendance in Public School and Home Schooling, Religious Conflicts, and the Instructional Program	Read Chapters 1 & 2 in The Law of Schools, Students and Teachers (Nutshell)
Lesson Two: Due Process of Law, Freedom of Expression, Religion in Public Schools, and Student Publications	Chapters 3-6 in Nutshell
Lesson Three: Unconstitutional Searches, Student Discipline, Racial Integration and Segregation, and Disabled Students	Read Chapters 7-10 in Nutshell
Lesson Four: Civil Liability, Intentional Torts, Negligence, and Student Privacy	Read Chapters 11 & 12 in Nutshell
Lesson Five: Student Evaluations, Equal Protections of the Law, and Teacher Employment	Read Chapters 14 & 15 in Nutshell
Lesson Six: Teachers and the First Amendment, Personal Appearance, Freedom of Religion, Teacher Dismissal, and Discrimination in the Schools	Read Chapters 16-18 in Nutshell

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS: For each lesson you will submit a 50-point short answer/essay assignment covering the topics in that lesson's reading. These assignments are due by 9:00 a.m. each Friday.

EXAMS: You will complete two exams. Each is worth 100 points. The Midterm exam is to be submitted with your Lesson Three Assignments; the Final exam is to be submitted with your Lesson Six Assignments.

BULLETIN BOARD ASSIGNMENTS: You will also post your responses to six class participation assignments. These assignments are referred to as Bulletin Board Submissions and will be submitted by either selecting Bulletin Board Submission from within the lesson material, or by selecting 'Forums' under Activities on the Left Hand Block.

All lesson objectives, assignments, and tests can be found in the Lesson Materials.

GRADING
Your grade will be based on your completion of six writing assignment assignments, two exams, and class participation/Bulletin Board Submissions. The exams and writing assignments can be accessed from within the lesson material, or by selecting 'Assignments' under Activities on the Left Hand Block. You will have the opportunity to engage in "class participation" by using the Bulletin Board tool to respond to the bulletin board assignments throughout the course. Also, participating in the bulletin board assignments will enhance your understanding of the reading material.

Your final grade will be figured as follows:

• The six writing assignments are worth 50 points each and comprise 30% of your grade.
• The two exams are worth 100 points and comprise 50% of your grade.
• Your participation in class participation assignments comprises 20% of your grade.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY
Students may drop the course with a full tuition refund less a non-refundable $15 administrative fee if written notice is sent to The Center for Legal Studies by email at info@legalstudies.com by the Wednesday before class begins. Students may drop the course with a 50% tuition refund if written notice is sent to The Center for Legal Studies by email at info@legalstudies.com anytime from the Thursday before the course begins until the first Thursday of class. After the first Thursday of class, no refunds will be issued.