EDCI 638 79B1-SU18-8W2 Online School Law

Summer, 2018 3 Credit Hours

Chadron State College

EDCI 638 School Law provides basic information on the evaluation and current status of the
law pertaining to the teacher in the classroom. Specific school situations will be analyzed as
applicable to Nebraska, Wyoming, and South Dakota statutory and constitutional provisions and
the rationale for the judicial interpretations of legal mandates (Chadron State College 2017-2019
Graduate Catalog, CSC website: http://catalog.csc.edu/graduate-courses/edci/).

Required Text:

Imber, M., van Geel, T., Blokhuis, J.C., & Feldman, J. (2014). Education law, (5th ed.) New
York, NY: Routledge. ISBN-13: 978-0415622813; ISBN-10: 0415622816

Nebraska State College System Policy 4141 Board Policy 4141): See BP 4141 at
http://www.nscs.edu/Policy%20Manual/Policy%20Manual%20Master/Policy%204141.pdf

In traditional face-to-face course settings, this policy requires "One (1) hour of classroom or direct faculty
instruction and a minimum of two (2) hours of out-of-class student work each week." This course has
been planned according to this formula. This course requires 45 hours of instruction and student
engagement. Additionally, students can expect to spend approximately 135+ hours in individual study,
research, and assignment preparation. See course Tentative Schedule for expectations for weekly
reading, discussion, and testing requirements.

Learning Activity (varies by week of Hours per Week Total for

instruction) See Tentative Schedule. Course
Direct Instruction (Study Notes in 1 x 15 weeks 15
online Modules)
Reading & Interactive Links 4 x 15 weeks 60
Outlining Assignment Chapters with 3 x 12 weeks 36
Reflective Commentary
Discussion Forums (preparation of 3 x 15 weeks 45
post/responding to class)
Research-Based Learning Included in reading and interactive links to law
websites (.5/week)
Assessments 13 weekly quizzes @ 2 hrs./ week (study & taking 26
exam)
16
mid-term and final 4 hrs. each / exam (plus study
time – 4 hrs. / exam)
Total 12-13 198
Disclaimer: Grades are not determined according to time spent on task – although research indicates this
is very important. The work you turn in must meet established criteria to pass the course. Completing
minimum time requirements will not automatically result in a passing grade.

A. Instructor: Dr. Patti Blundell, Professor of Education

B. Office: Location: Old Admin 115

Hours: As posted and by appointment
Phone: (308) 432-6469
(308) 432-6383 for Dept. of Education Office
Assistant
E-mail: pblundell@csc.edu

C. Prerequisite: Graduate status

D. Purpose: The course is intended to provide educators and policy makers with the legal
knowledge necessary to do their jobs and serve students.

E. Method of Instruction: A combination of lecture (study notes), discussions, and

individual reading and presentations/postings will be used. Cooperative learning will be
encouraged through discussion of issues and development of chapter summaries.

F. Objectives: The student will be able to:

1. Appraise the terms ad conditions of employment for educators.
2. Analyze the concept of governmental immunity.
3. Develop an understanding of students' rights.
4. Explain tort liability and other wrongs committed upon the person or property of
another.
5. Identify laws dealing with desegregation.
6. Develop an understanding of the rights of disabled students.
7. Analyze the rights of students as determined by law.
8. Indicate how the law deals with curriculum, testing, and grading.
9. Identify laws dealing with school attendance.
10. Evaluate the separation of church and state.
11. Develop an understanding of the governance of public schools.
12. Analyze the role of the federal government and school law.
13. Appraise the law in respect to a historical perspective of public schools.
14. Identify the various components in the legal system.
15. Identify the laws pertaining to school property.
16. Evaluate the relationship between the law and the school finance process.
17. Develop an understanding of the collective bargaining process.
18. Continue in their development as visionary leaders.

This course is a required core course in both the Education Administration and Curriculum and
Instruction masters programs. The Program Outcomes are cross-referenced with Chadron State
College’s Conceptual Framework for the Education Unit. Intended Program Outcomes for both
programs follow:
Education Administration Program Outcomes:
1. Lead and organize the collaborative development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship
of a school or district vision of learning supported by the school community. (Communication,
Thinking Skills, Inclusive Learning Environments)
2. Lead and promote a positive school culture, providing an effective standards based instructional
program, applying best practice to student learning, and designing comprehensive professional
growth plans for staff based on identified needs. (Methodology, Professionalism, Assessment,
Thinking Skills, Inclusive Learning Environments)
3. Lead and promote the success of all students by managing the organization, operations, and
resources in a way that promotes a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment.
(Communication, Thinking Skills, Methodology, Professionalism)
4. Demonstrate the knowledge, ability and dispositions to promote the success of all students by
collaborating with families and other community members, responding to diverse community
interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources. (Communication, Methodology,
Inclusive Learning Environments)
5. Demonstrate the skill, knowledge, and ability to promote the success of all students by acting
fairly, with integrity, and in an ethical manner. (Inclusive Learning Environments,
Communication, Professionalism)
6. Demonstrate the skill, knowledge, and ability to respond to, and influence the larger political,
social, economic, legal, and cultural context. (Professionalism, Thinking Skills, Inclusive
Learning Environments)
7. Demonstrate the ability to accept genuine responsibility for leading, facilitating, and making
decisions typical of those made by educational leaders. (Communication, Thinking Skills,
Methodology, Professionalism, Assessment, and Inclusive Learning Environments)

Curriculum & Instruction Program Outcomes

1. Develop and implement curriculum based on central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of
the discipline(s) he or she teaches; diverse learner needs and abilities; cognitive and
developmental levels; and community and curricular goals. (Methodology, Inclusive Learning
Environments)
2. Develop and implement curriculum using a variety of instructional strategies to encourage
students’ development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.
(Methodology, Thinking Skills)
3. Design and facilitate a learning environment that encourages individual and group motivation,
positive social interaction, and active engagement in learning. (Methodology, Professionalism,
Assessment)
4. Demonstrate cultural awareness, gender sensitivity, and racial and ethnic appreciation in fostering
an inclusive learning environment. (Inclusive Learning Environments, Methodology)
5. Communicate clearly using listening, writing, speaking, and media skills in a manner that is
consistent with and responsive to the specific audience. (Communication, Professionalism)
6. Utilize assessment strategies and data to improve student learning and social development at the
individual and program level. (Assessment, Methodology)
7. Improve instruction based on reflective practice and research-based “best practices.” The
candidate will continuously seek to grow as a professional educator. (Professionalism,
(Methodology)
8. Foster relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies of the larger community based
on an understanding of the impacts of philosophy, sociology, political and legal forces on public
education. (Professionalism, Communication, Inclusive Learning Environments)
 Visionary Leader Conceptual Framework

Leadership Explain the major laws or cases and how they affect the teacher or
administrator as leaders in the school.

Component Activity
Thinking Skills Questions related to analysis of various court cases
compared to standards set by U.S. Supreme Court,
federal/state statutes or rules and regulations.
Inclusive Human Environments Determine the appropriate professional ethics
necessary for educators in their relationships with
each other, students, and parents relevant to the law.
Assessment Evaluate the policies in local schools to see if they
are in compliance with federal and/or state statutes
and regulations.
Communication Students will express their thoughts on certain court
cases and implications to them as teachers or
aspiring administrators. Know the location of web
sites to assist in school policy development.
Methodology Determine how the laws influence curriculum,
instruction, and dealing with students, staff and
teachers.
Professionalism Identify the professional role of teachers and
administrators relevant to court cases and
legislation.
G. Topics:

1. Understanding Education Law

2. Compulsory Education
3. Curriculum
4. Student Freedom of Expression
5. Student Discipline
6. Equal Educational Opportunity: 
Race and Gender
7. Students with Special Needs
8. School Finance
9. Federal Constitutional and 
Statutory Rights of School Employees
10. Teacher Employment
11. Collective Bargaining, Unions, and Teacher Contracts
12. Torts
13. School Boards
14. Supreme Court Decisions that have Shaped U.S. Education
H. Tentative Schedule: (The two-page schedule is also provided as a separate file as a
handy reference).

Week Topic/Lesson/Assignment Due date

Read Chapter or Lesson materials; post questions

related to chapter in discussion forum and discuss
questions/issues with class members; and submit a
summary/outline of each chapter/lesson in assignment
area. Complete quiz for each Chapter/Lesson, mid-
term exam, and final exam.
6/4-8/2018 Read syllabus and introduction to Sakai. 
Introduction 6/4/2018
of students.
6/4-8/2018 Chapter 1--Understanding Educational Law 6/5-6/2018
6/4-8/2018 Chapter 2 -- Compulsory Education 6/7-8/2018
6/11-15/2018 Chapter 3 -- Curriculum 6/12-13/2018
6/11-15/2018 Chapter 4 -- Student Freedom of Expression 6/14-15/2018
6/18-22/2018 Chapter 5 -- Student Discipline 6/19-20/2018
6/18-22/2018 Chapter 6 -- Equal Educational Opportunity: 
Race and 6/21-22/2018
Gender
6/25-29/2018 Chapter 7 -- Students with Special Needs 6/26-27/2018
6/25-29/2018 Mid-term exam (closes 11 p.m. June 30) Opens Thursday
6/28/2018
Due Saturday
6/30/2018
7/2-6/2018 Chapter 8 -- School Finance 7/3-4/2018
7/2-6/2018 Chapter 9 -- Federal Constitutional and 
Statutory 7/5-6/2018
Rights of School Employees
7/9-13/2018 Chapter 10 -- Teacher Employment 7/10-11/2018
7/9-13/2018 Chapter 11 -- Collective Bargaining, 
Unions, and 7/12-13/2018
Teacher Contracts
7/16-20/2018 Chapter 12 -- Torts 7/17-18/2018
7/16-20/2018 School Boards (no outline) 7/19-20/2018
7/23-27/2018 Supreme Court Decisions (no outline or quiz) 7/24/2018
Final Wrap up Forum due 7/24/2018
7/23-27/2018 Final exam Opens Tuesday
Opens 6 a.m. Tuesday 7/24; Closes 11 p.m. Thursday 7/24/2018
7/26 Due Thursday
7/26/2018

I. Course Requirements and Evaluation

1. All assignments must be completed by the deadline indicated in the course schedule,
unless other arrangements are made with the instructor. Acceptance or rejection of late
assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

2. Active, timely, and thoughtful participation in the forums is expected. Each week
there are two lessons. (Please see schedule for specific lessons/dates.) Read the assigned
 chapters, post questions and respond to other posts on Tuesdays (1st lesson of the week)
and Thursdays (2nd lesson of the week). Forums are designed to clarify questions and
bring further understanding to topics and issues addressed in the chapters/lessons.
Prompt postings tend to be read by the class; late postings generate less discussion.

3. Complete an outline/reflection of each chapter/lesson, except for the last two. Include
major ideas and important court cases that you may want to reference later (during the
exams). The last paragraph or two should focus on implications of the topic for you as a
teacher, administrator, or other educational leader. (Save the outline/reflection papers for
your graduate portfolio). 
Outline/reflections are due on Tuesdays (1st lesson of the
week) and Thursdays (2nd lesson of the week) by 11 p.m. (MDT).

4. A quiz has been developed for each chapter/lesson, except the last one. After you have
participated in the Forum discussion and submitted the outline/reflection for the lesson,
please take the quiz. Quizzes will open at 6 a.m. (MDT) on Wednesdays and will remain
open until 11 p.m. (MDT) pm on Thursdays (for the 1st lesson of the week); quizzes for
the 2nd lesson of the week will open on Fridays at 6 a.m. MDT and will remain open until
11 p.m. (MDT) on Saturdays. Late quizzes will not be accepted unless pre-arranged with
a compelling reason.

5. There will be two exams during the course of the summer session, one midterm and one
final. See course schedule for exam dates. Each exam will open and close according to
the schedule.

Active participation in Chapter/Lesson forums 14 @ 10 pts. each 140 pts.

Quizzes 13 @ 10 pts. each 130 pts.
Chapter/Lesson outlines & reflections 12@ 10 pts. each 120 pts.
Mid-term exam 50 pts.
Final Exam 100 pts.

Grading Scale: 93-100=A; 86-92=B; 78-85=C

J. Course Requirements and Evaluation

1. All assignments must be completed by the deadline indicated in the course schedule,
unless other arrangements are made with the instructor. Acceptance or rejection of late
assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

2. Active, timely, and thoughtful participation in the forums is expected. Each week
there is one lesson. (Please see schedule for specific lessons/dates.) Read the assigned
chapter, post questions and respond to other posts according to the schedule above.
Discussion can continue through Friday and beyond. Forums are designed to clarify
questions and bring further understanding to topics and issues addressed in the
chapters/lessons. Prompt postings tend to be read by the class; late postings generate less
discussion. Point deductions may be made for late postings.

3. Complete an outline/reflection of each chapter/lesson, except for the last two. Include
major ideas, terms, and important court cases that you may want to reference later (during
the exams). The last paragraph or two should focus on implications of the topic for you
as a teacher, administrator, or other educational leader. (Save the outline/reflection papers
 for your graduate portfolio). 
Outline/reflections are due according to the schedule
above.

4. A quiz has been developed for each chapter/lesson, except the last one. After you have
participated in the Forum discussion and submitted the outline/reflection for the lesson,
please take the quiz. Quizzes will open and be due according to the schedule above.
Quizzes are time limited to 1 hour. Late quizzes will not be accepted unless pre-arranged
with a compelling reason.

5. There will be two exams during the course of the semester, one midterm and one final.
See course schedule for exam dates. Each exam will be time limited to 4 hours.

Active participation in Chapter/Lesson forums 14 @ 10 pts. each 140 pts.

Weekly quizzes 13 @ 10 pts. each 130 pts.
Chapter/Lesson outline & reflection 12@ 10 pts. each 120 pts.
Mid-term exam 50 pts.
Final Exam 100 pts.

Grading Scale: 93-100=A; 86-92=B; 78-85=C

K. Attendance: Attendance is required. Your presence online is important for your own
learning and well as your contribution to the work of the class. If an absence is
unavoidable, please arrange ahead of time to discuss options for making-up work. Full
credit can be earned on work submitted on or before the due date. Late assignments will
result in lower grades.

L. Selected Bibliography:
See the course Web Resources for Legal Studies for selected websites that contain
additional information and links to documents.

Student Behavior:
Academic Honesty - Students are expected to conduct themselves in conformity with the highest standards with
regard to academic honesty. Violation of college, state, or federal standards with regard to plagiarism, cheating, or
falsification of official records will not be tolerated. Students violating such standards will be subject to discipline,
as per campus policies articulated in the Student Handbook. A full copy of the handbook can be found at
http://www.csc.edu/documents/publications/csc_student_handbook.pdf. Academic Policies, including academic
dishonesty, can be found between pages 33-35.

Attendance/Participation Policy – The College assumes that students will seek to profit from the instructional
program and will recognize the importance of attending every class meeting of courses for which credit is expected.
Responsibility for notifying faculty of absences, and for arranging potential make-up, rests with the students. In
courses that utilize an online format, students are expected to participate in an appropriate and frequent manner, as
determined by course instructor.

Civility – Civil behavior enhances the learning environment, and is expected at all times. Courtesy and respect for
others are essential elements to the learning process. Courses offered through Chadron State College welcome a
difference of opinion, discourse, and debate within a civil environment.

Nondiscrimination Policy/Equal Educational Opportunity Policy: Chadron State College is committed to an

affirmative action program to encourage admission of minority and female students and to provide procedures which
will assure equal treatment of all students. The College is committed to creating an environment for all students that
is consistent with nondiscriminatory policy. To that end, it is the policy of Chadron State College to administer its
academic employment programs and related supporting services in a manner which does not discriminate on the
basis of gender, race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital
status. Student requests for reasonable accommodation based upon documented disabilities should be presented
within the first two weeks of the semester, or within two weeks of the diagnosis, to the disabilities contact person
(308.432-6268; Crites 011).

Disclaimer: This syllabus and schedule is articulated as an expectation of class topics, learning activities, and
expected student learning. However, the instructor reserves the right to make changes in this schedule that, within
my professional judgment, would result in enhanced or more effective learning on the part of the students. These
modifications will not substantially change the intent or outcomes of this course and will be done within the policies
and procedures of Chadron State College.

CSC Mission & Master Academic Plan (MAP)

Mission Statement
Chadron State College (CSC) will enrich the quality of life in the region by providing educational opportunities,
research, service and programs that contribute significantly to the vitality and diversity of the region.

MAP Priorities, 2014-2018

CSC is committed to the achievement of tasks/projects that align with the following Priorities:
1) Continue to implement and improve the Essential Studies Program (ESP).
2) Define, develop, and promote co-curricular experiences that foster undergraduate and graduate student
engagement.
3) Create and implement a strategic vision(s) for teaching and learning technologies, teaching and learning center
(TLC) and the library learning commons (LLC).
4) Evaluate campus-wide processes for student recruitment, advising and retention; recommend a plan for
continuous improvement.
5) Study, create, and implement a strategic vision for the graduate studies program.
6) Evaluate campus-wide processes for faculty and staff recruitment and retention; recommend a plan for continuous
improvement.