Author Description

A “must-have” essential reference for all teachers, school leaders, and policymakers in today’s U.S. public schools! Here in one practical, easy to read guide is vital information on historical and contemporary legal issues affecting the organization and administration of schools in America. School safety; cyberbullying; copyright law and use of media; Response to Intervention (RtI); isolation and restraining laws involving students with disabilities; landmark cases involving equal pay, strip searches, and freedom of expression; the ADA Amendments Act of 2008; liability insurance for teachers and administrators; truancy and school vouchers–virtually every topic of concern to today’s educators is covered in an organization and style that is accessible to even those with little or no knowledge of the legal issues affecting public schools. Compact, practical, and easy to read, this guide is the ideal reference for all students, teachers, and school leaders. Relevant case law rulings, charts, and tables are integrated throughout. Practical guides and in-basket exercises at the end of each chapter help readers reinforce the concepts and provide practical guidance. Included are discussions on the landmark Supreme Court decision on Title IX Retaliation; a historical discussion of the U.S. Constitution, Federalism, the Separation of Powers, and the Bill of Rights; theories related to breathalyzers and when they can be used to test for alcohol consumption; and the conditions under which counselors may maintain confidentiality regarding their professional interactions with students. NEW to this A reorganized chapter on Legal Framework A revised chapter on Public School Finance NEW discussions on Copyright Law and the Use of Multimedia by educators, the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, cyberbullying in public schools, the pros and cons of school vouchers, Response to Intervention (RtI), isolation and restraint laws, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the Legal Information Retrieval System.