EDU 538: K-12 Teaching: Legal and Societal Contexts

Overview

This course is designed to prepare candidates to operate successfully within the legal and societal contexts of student teaching. The course covers applicable federal, state, and local district laws, rules, regulations, policies, and requirements including Constitutional provisions, reporting of child abuse and neglect, and other legal/ethical responsibilities of teachers.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe and discuss the legal framework in which K-12 schools operate, including federal and state constitutions, federal and state statutes, and the U.S. System of Courts.
• Analyze and articulate federal legal influences on educational practice including No Child Left Behind, IDEA, FERPA, ADA, and the U.S. Constitution.
• Analyze and articulate the concept of school liability and teachers’ responsibilities to protect students from harm.
• Analyze and discuss the societal context of K-12 schools, including religion in schools, school vouchers, charter schools, and home schooling.
• Research, analyze, and discuss local school and school district rules, regulations, and policies that influence educational practice in schools and classrooms.
• Synthesize a concise, comprehensive job aid that contains statements of essential laws, regulations, rules, and responsibilities of student teaching.

Required Texts
EDU 538 texts are available from the JIU/MBS bookstore