Describes 6th Circuit Court of Appeals decision in "Cockrel v. Schelby County School District," involving a fifth-grade teacher's claim that she was unlawfully terminated for teaching a unit on the industrial use of hemp, thus violating her First Amendment right of free speech. (PKP)

Immoral behavior does not automatically provide the basis for dismissal of a teacher or administrator. There must be a proven causal connection or nexus between the behavior and job performance. (Author/WD)

The common practice of keeping negative information about a faculty member quiet if he agrees to resign quietly is criticized by some who find it unethical or illegal. They feel employers should disclose full employment records. Others warn that colleges may invade the privacy of a professor or defame him by passing on unsubstantiated charges to a…

Creating a system for successfully supervising and evaluating the entire teaching staff of a school district is a daunting task. An effective system-wide program can only be achieved if the administrators, teachers and the teachers' association understand and attend to the educational, legal, public relations (political), and social-emotional…

The role of primary school teachers and community attitudes toward these teachers in Sefwi Wiawso District, Western Ghana, are examined. Problems that teachers confront as a result of conflicts between national institutions and community expectations are discussed. (Author/MJL)

This case addresses the events that unfolded after a high school teacher displayed a Confederate flag in the classroom as a visual aid to instruction on the causes and effects of the Civil War. Although the curriculum specifically required students to learn the meaning and use of symbols and provided for the use of the flag, and the principals…

The sequence of events and implications of the disciplinary dismissal of three faculty members of Philander Smith College are discussed with relation to the AAUP's 1940 Statement of Principles. It is concluded that faculty rights were violated by the administration and governing board. (MSE)

The denial of tenure to and dismissal of an assistant professor at Nichols College are considered. It is concluded that he was denied due process according to the AAUP's 1940 Statement of Principles. No issue of academic freedom was raised by the decision; however, the administration's action is criticized. (MSE)

In this article, the author relates an incident at the elementary school in Maryland where she was teaching 3rd grade at the time. After the author finally managed to get her students to read--and enjoy it--the principal insisted they watch TV instead. Odd as the accusation was, it was made even odder by the fact that her students were reading…

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)

The development, impact, and problems of the General Teaching Council (Scotland) are described. Detailed are teacher registration, exceptional admission to register, teacher probation, investigating and disciplinary aspects, and recommendations on teacher supply and training. (AH)

According to the Supreme Court of Canada, when a teacher's conduct out of the classroom impairs the integrity of the education system, the values it instills, and the public's confidence in the education system and its teachers, the employer school board is obliged to take disciplinary action, even if the conduct is not criminal. Five examples are…

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…

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…

Thirty elementary school principals from twelve Michigan urban school districts attended a series of inservice training programs emphasizing the development of management skills necessary for elementary principals to administer a comprehensive community education program. Each monthly session of the year-long program was dedicated to a specific…