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 Law of Schools, Students and Teachers, Alexander and Alexander, 3rd Edition, Nutshell Series
This book is available from The Center for Legal Studies.

COURSE OUTLINE and Reading Assignments for Weekly Topics:

Week 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)
Week Two: Due Process of Law, Freedom of Expression, Religion in Public Schools, and Student Publications Read Chapters 3-6 in Nutshell
Week Three: Unconstitutional Searches, Student Discipline, Racial Integration and Segregation, and Disabled Students Read Chapter 7-10 in Nutshell
Week Four: Civil Liability, Intentional Torts, Negligence, and Student Privacy Read Chapters 11 & 12 in Nutshell
Week Five: Student Evaluations, Equal Protections of the Law, and Teacher Employment Read Chapters 14 & 15 in Nutshell
Week Six: Teachers and the First Amendment, Personal Appearance, Freedom of Religion, Teacher Dismissal, and Discrimination in the Schools
Read Chapters 16-18 in Nutshell

GRADING
Your grade will be based on your completion of six Bulletin Board assignments (class participation), six weekly writing assignments, and two exams. The exams and writing assignments are submitted using the Private Mail tool. 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 two exams are worth 100 points each and comprise 50% of your grade. Your class participation assignments are worth 10 points each and comprise 20% of your grade. Your six writing assignments are worth 50 points each and comprise 30% of your grade.