School Law
Through U.S. Supreme Court cases, and other readings, case studies, situational dilemmas, and practice exercises, we investigated protected rights for both students and teachers and how these influence school leadership decisions, school design, school culture, and the student experience with a focus on equity in practice. We explored topics pertinent to school leadership practice through a constitutional lens examining issues such as:
This class focused on U.S. Constitutional law as it applies to public school settings. In reviewing and analyzing case studies, we examined the interpretation of constitutional rights in the school context, how school law affects students, school communities, and culture, and how the law can influence and shape school leadership.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
- First Amendment rights of academic freedom, student freedom of speech and church/state issues
- Fourth Amendment rights regarding search and seizure, church/state conflicts
- Fourteenth Amendment Equal Protection and Due Process (e.g., whether there is a right to an education, questions of access and equity, discrimination, and due process).
This class focused on U.S. Constitutional law as it applies to public school settings. In reviewing and analyzing case studies, we examined the interpretation of constitutional rights in the school context, how school law affects students, school communities, and culture, and how the law can influence and shape school leadership.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
- How can we make effective use of school law and case studies to inform our leadership practices and school design?
- How do constitutional law and Supreme Court authority support equity in education?
- How can we balance between individual student rights and community rights?