This quantitative study examined perceptions of K-12 public school principals toward the Tennessee teacher tenure law under Senate Bill 1528 and how principals perceived that the law has affected their ability to evaluate and retain effective teachers. The Tennessee Teacher Tenure Principal Perception Survey was adopted and slightly modified from…

Horrific events such as the fatal shooting of three high school students in Chardon, Ohio, in the winter of 2012 places tremendous pressure on state and local agencies to ensure that schools provide a safe and conducive learning environment for all students. To help curb school violence, schools have adopted zero-tolerance policies, which often…

The increasing number of special education-related lawsuits has become costly, time-consuming, and a strain on school-community relations--in short, an issue of growing concern to U. S. school systems. To identify factors associated with this type of litigation, this study analyzed data from one state's 10-year experience with due process special…

Special education litigation remains a volatile area with significant practice implications. A review of the 2010 case law in the "Special Educator" identified discipline (manifestation determination, seclusion and restraints, harassment), evaluation/RTI, and postsecondary transition as specific areas of concern. School administrators should keep…

The purpose of this national survey is to determine secondary school principals' knowledge of the rights of students and teachers, how often principals are legally threatened and sued, how they adjust their behaviors in response, and how they obtain and disseminate legal information. Survey results show that a majority of principals are uninformed…

A superintendent's decision to stop presentation of a high school play was upheld by the court over a challenge that the students' First Amendment right of expression had been unconstitutionally abridged. The case has implications for other cases involving student First Amendment claims. (MLF)

Describes useful Web sites (and URL locators) to help educators stay current on school law: Education Week on the Web, California Education Law Report, National Association of Secondary School Principals, Office of Special Education Programs, Legal Information Institute, Internet Legal Resources Guide, ACLU Freedom Network, and American Journalism…

Author emphasizes the principal's need to be knowledgeable of the many child-oriented community agencies that can help the school deal with student problems both legal and social. (Editor)

This study identifies and analyzes federal and state court cases relating to the rights of students during the period 1960 to 1971. (Editor)

A knowledge of school law will help the educational leader avoid legal crisis and free him to exercise effective leadership. (Editor)

Article discusses the Stull Bill and its effects on the evaluation of school personnel, all certificated personnel in California

Court-ordered desegregation of a midwestern junior high school was quickly achieved because of staff commitment to the plan, which included a uniform discipline code and staff resolution of ongoing problems. (CJH)

The judicial trend is against according broad First Amendment protection for teacher grievants. Administrators who do not support legitimate labor activity, however, may experience teacher retaliation. (CJH)