Education Law

How much do teachers really know about education law? If they have only attended the Teachers' Lounge School of Law, then they don't know much...and what they do know is probably not true! I am discovering that the more teachers base their education law knowledge of the knowledge and expertise of other uneducated teachers, the more they put themselves - and their students - at risk.

Any educator that is interested in learning about education law in layman's terms should consider reading the book School Law: What Every Educator Should Know, A User-Friendly Guide by David Schimmel, Louis Fischer, and Leslie R. Stellman. It is easy to understand and contains numerous examples of cases that demonstrate the concepts that are presented. This is the required reading for the course I am currently taking: Teachers and the Law.

Another resource that we frequently use is Principals Teaching the Law: 10 Legal Lessons Your Teachers Must Know by David M. Schimmel, Suzanne E. Eckes, and Matthew C. Militello. As the title indicates, this book has ten lessons that lead learners (principals and directors) can use with their team to share education law knowledge.

I encourage teachers to learn the laws and regulations in their districts. Protect your students, your schools, your team, and yourself!