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)

Responsible and effective administrative leadership requires confronting those members of the teaching staff who are a negative influence on the institution. Importantly, the absence of expressed appreciation for good work can have a devastating impact on a principal's image if he or she suddenly begins to confront poor performances. Actually, the…

Responsible administrators are obligated to confront poor teacher performance. Guides principals through 12 steps to take in the confrontation process that include the following: gathering information, waiting for a specific incident, developing a file, meeting with the teacher, helping the teacher to improve, and working with the teacher union.…

Incompetent teachers must be identified and assisted, and if they fail to improve, they must be dismissed. An eight-point strategy for school district administrators to use in identifying and assisting less competent teachers is presented. (RM)

This guidebook provides a general overview of procedures that may be followed in staff misconduct situations. Following the preface and introduction, part 1 contains four chapters that present information on general misconduct procedures, serious misconduct requiring immediate suspension, the presentation of a case at a hearing, and misconduct…

The second edition of this guidebook, written for principals and supervisors, provides a general overview of procedures to follow in staff misconduct situations. Following the preface and introduction, part I discusses general procedures for handling misconduct and includes guidelines for conducting investigations and school-level meetings. Part…

AAUP guidelines on establishing institutional policy and procedures for handling sexual harassment complaints are outlined. Sexual harassment is defined and procedures for both bringing and resolving a complaint are suggested. (MSE)

This article focuses on types of conflict that can arise among college faculty members or between a faculty member and an administrator. Administrators may deal with these conflicts through: (1) avoidance or denial; (2) use of power; (3) rational approaches; or (4) use of a third party. (PP)

This work provides sample letters, charts, timelines, and checklists, to help principals adequately prepare for possible teacher dismissal. Chapter 1, "Describing the Marginal Teacher," lists traits common to marginal teachers. Chapter 2, "Establishing the Teacher Evaluation Process," presents a monthly timeline for assessing…

This monograph offers practical suggestions on how to develop and implement an effective and legally viable system of teacher evaluation. Part 1, "The Legal Arena," discusses current trends in school employee litigation, suggesting that an effective evaluation process can be one of the greatest deterrents to successful employee first amendment…

Due process has become an important principle in higher education as a result of many new legal issues, including dismissals of students from campus, firings of staff members, faculty tenure and promotion, sexual harassment, discrimination, and substance abuse. This volume defines due process; explains when due process procedures are required;…

This guide is intended to acquaint administrators and teachers with legal requirements for staff evaluation and recent changes in Oklahoma teacher dismissal law. A State Board of Education policy statement and a glossary of legal terms follow the statutory description and explication of the intent of Senate Bill No. 249 and Senate Bill No. 308.…

The laws affecting education in the United States today can generally be classified according to four categories: (1) Constitutional law (both state and federal); (2) statutes and regulations; (3) common law principles; and (4) contract law. Students and teachers in private schools are not protected by federal Constitutional law because they are…

This short monograph details a simple system of documentation that can be used with any school district's personnel evaluation process. The goal of the monograph is to help supervisors, especially principals, accord fair treatment to employees who are systematically evaluated. The documentation system is founded on the concept of communication.…

This book about the clinical supervision of teachers emphasizes the techniques of clinical supervision: ways to work with teachers to help them improve their classroom teaching. The book is intended to serve both as a practical hands-on guide for the inservice principal and school district personnel who supervise teachers, and as a textbook for…