The Connick vs. Myers Supreme Court decision regarding public employees' right to express themselves has been applied to public schools in two recent federal court cases. The rulings suggest school boards may discipline school employees for disputes over internal office matters but must tolerate their dissent over public matters. (DCS)

Dismissing a teacher for insubordination is usually acceptable to the courts when the teacher willfully defies reasonable and specific regulations and orders despite repeated and clear directives that such behavior must cease. (PGD)

The peer review system for evaluating schools (the "Toledo Plan") is gaining favor among teachers in other school systems. Schools are generally reluctant to dismiss incompetent teachers because of documentation complexities, but incompetent teachers should nevertheless be weeded out. (TE)

This report is an initial effort to provide systematic information on teacher contracts in Massachusetts. In 1999, the Pioneer Institute solicited copies of the current contract from all districts in the state. Forty districts were selected to reflect the makeup of the Commonwealth. This study confirms that teacher compensation is determined by…

Local boards of education in New Jersey are authorized by law to withhold increments of staff members in certain circumstances. The purpose of this publication is to provide an analysis and summary of decisions involving a board's exercise of this authority, and it is intended to serve as a guide and a reference tool to be used in determining when…

School board members from 50 states have in common the United States Constitution and the legal principles announced by the federal courts in response to that Constitution. New board members are usually concerned with the rights of teachers, parents, and students. Starting with student rights, student conduct that involves freedom of expression…

The collective bargaining agreement between University of Hawaii Professional Assembly and the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii for the period 1987-1989 is presented. Items covered in the agreement include: unit recognition, outside employment, exemption from tuition, duty period, paid and unpaid leaves of absence, sabbatical leaves,…

This booklet provides prospective and current Catholic school board members with basic information concerning civil law as it affects schools in general and Catholic schools in particular. Chapter 1 describes the two main types of Catholic school boards: consultative boards, in which the pastor of the diocese has final authority to accept the…

To improve the quality of teaching in New York State's schools, state and local policy-makers must consider a number of issues that affect teaching quality. These issues are outlined in this booklet, which also provides a number of policy recommendations. The basic concepts reviewed are (1) the assumptions that underlie the collaborative endeavor…

The collective bargaining agreement between the Board of Trustees of the University of Massachusetts and the Board of Regents of Higher Education and the Massachusetts Society of Professors, an affiliate of the National Education Association, covering the period July 1, 1986-June 30, 1987, is presented. Items covered in the agreement include: unit…

The collective bargaining agreement between the Board of Trustees of the California State University and the California Faculty Association, an affiliate of the National Education Association, covering the period July 1, 1987-June 30, 1991, is presented. Items covered in the agreement include: unit recognition, management rights, union rights,…

The collective bargaining agreement between The State of New York and United University Professions, an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers, for 1985 to 1988 is presented. Items covered in the agreement include: unit recognition, grievance procedure, arbitration procedure, grievance appeals, labor-management meetings, academic…

The collective bargaining agreement between the Board of Trustees of Connecticut State University and Connecticut State University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors, covering the period 1984-1987, is presented. Items covered in the agreement include: unit recognition; definitions; nondiscrimination; professional rights…

The collective bargaining agreement between University of California and University Council, American Federation of Teachers, Non-Senate Instructional Unit, for the period covering July 1, 1986-June 30, 1988, is presented. Items covered in the agreement include: unit recognition; academic freedom; academic responsibility; nondiscrimination;…

This is the 16th publication in an annual series intended to provide New Jersey board members and administrators who are representing their district in negotiations with the latest information on legal developments affecting negotiations, practical advice on bargaining strategy and tactics, and a handy source of reference for important case law.…