This document addresses legal requirements for and issues in the nonrenewal of probationary teachers in North Carolina. The interpretive analysis section points out that in order to protect itself against a charge of nonrenewal based on prohibited reasons, the school board must develop a written record that documents factors for its decision. A…

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)

Reviews factors considered by courts in judicial decisions concerning teachers involved in criminal offenses relating to alcohol and drug violations, larceny, theft, shoplifting, gambling, and manslaughter. The courts have held that when criminal conduct shows a connection between the offense and the teacher's effectiveness then cause exists for…

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…

One of the most frequent problems confronting employers is the need to investigate allegations of or suspicions that an employee has been involved in misconduct and take appropriate action when the evidence substantiates the wrongdoing. School district employers are no exception. Respect and trust in the school working environment are achieved 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…

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 is designed to promote legal literacy for public school teachers. It examines a wide range of constitutional, statutory, and case law that directly affects their work. Its purpose is to provide teachers with the knowledge necessary to comply with the law, assert their rights, and bring violations to the attention of administrators and…

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…

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…