Great Basin College, 1500 College Parkway, Elko, Nevada 89801

EDU 120----SCHOOL LAW IN NEVADA

2009 Fall Semester

COURSE SYLLABUS

Credits: 1 Credit (Pass/Withdrawal)

Catalog Description:

This course is designed to acquaint prospective teachers with the legal aspects of the school setting in the state of Nevada, and examines historical development of paramount issues in contemporary education. The course also emphasizes legal aspects of emerging educational patterns and meets state licensing requirements.

Instructor Information:

Norman Mahlberg, Vice Principal

Elko High School

987 College Avenue

Elko, NV 89801

Office: 775-738-7281

Fax 775-738-9616

Required & Recommended Textbooks and Other Materials:

Required Reading:

Daugherty, R. F. (2005 or later edition) Nevada School Law for Teachers, Nevada Law and Policy Center, Reno, NevadaorNevada School Law, Sixth Edition, Kops, Flanders, and McCord

Recommended Reading:

Teachers and the Law, Sixth Edition, by Louis Fischer, David Schimmel, and

Leslie Stellman.

Deskbook Encyclopedia of American School Law, 2006 Edition, Center for Education &

Employment Law.

American Public School Law, Fifth Edition, by Kern Alexander and M. David Alexander.

Grading Policy/Point System:

The course is being offered on a Pass/Withdrawal (P/W) basis. The “P” is a passing grade. This grade is accepted for teacher certification and can be used as an elective for certain degree programs. Since it does not accumulate grade points, it will not reflect a change in the cumulative credits on a transcript. The “W” on your grade report means withdrawal. It is the responsibility of the student to withdraw formally from a course. A “P” will be given upon meeting the assignment and attendance requirements for this class.

Attendance:

Successful completion of the course requires the attendance of a minimum of 4 out of the 5 scheduled meeting times and the completion of a short paper.

Course Outcomes/ Measurements:

Upon the successful completion of this course, the following will be accomplished:

Outcomes / Measurements
Understand and identify the governance of the Nevada schools and how the different systems function together. / Class Discussion
Interpret the legal aspects of the employment setting within the Nevada school system. / Class Discussion
Analyze the legal specification of the U.S. special education statutes. / Class Discussion
Acquire a conceptual framework for determining liability issues that impart the role of the teacher in Nevada schools. / Class Discussion
Review relevant cases and legal statutes that have recently affected the Nevada school systems. / Class Discussion
Develop a practical foundation for dealing with the legal issues involved in the profession of education. / Class Discussion
Have a working understanding of educational law terminology and application in Nevada / Submission of 2 page paper summarizing understanding of law issues covered in the class.

Disability Access:

“Great Basin College supports providing equal access for students with disabilities. An advisor is available to discuss appropriate accommodations with students. Please contact the ADA Officer (Julie Byrnes) in Elko at (775) 753-2271 at your earliest convenience to request timely and appropriate accommodations.”

Policy of Academic Integrity: GBC subscribes to the traditional policy of academic integrity: students are expected to be honest. Students are expected to do their own work. Students who plagiarize or commit academic dishonesty are violating the standards of academic integrity and are subject to consequences ranging from failing the assignment or course to dismissal from the institution.

Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s word, ideas or data as one’s own. When a student submits work that includes the words, ideas, or data of others, the source of that information must be acknowledged through complete, accurate, and specific references; and if verbatim statements are included, through quotation marks as well. In academically honest writing or speaking, the students will acknowledge the source whenever:

  • Another person’s actual words are quoted
  • Another person’s idea, opinion or theory is used, even if it is completely paraphrased in the student’s own words
  • Facts, statistics, or other illustrative materials are borrowed, unless the information is common knowledge.

Course Assignments, Content & Schedule:

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

4:00 to 6:45 p.m.

Introduction

Course Syllabus/Orientation

Class Mini-analysis*

Overview of Governmental Involvement in Education

Overview of Nevada School Governance

Assignment: Read class text, Chapters 1 & 2 in Daugherty or Chapters 1 -3. (Kops, et al)

Write a brief paper, 1-2 pages in length, typed, double-spaced and on a topic of school law that was covered in class and/or of interest to you.

This paper will be due on or before Friday, August 21, 2009. You may send your papers to the Elko Campus, transmit to me via my Email address, or Fax to the above listed number. Upon satisfactory attendance and completion of the written requirement for this class you will receive a passing grade. If papers are Emailed please check to see if the transmission went through.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

4:00 to 6:45 p.m.

Review and Questions/Answers

Current Issues in Nevada School Law

Teacher Rights and Governance

Assignment:Read Class Text, Chapters 3 & 4 (Daugherty) or 5 and 8, (Kops et al)

Friday, August 13, 2009

4:00 to 6:45 p.m.

Review and Questions/Answers

Torts and Liability

Student Rights

Assignment:Read Class Text, Chapter 5, (Daugherty) or 4,6 & 9, (Kops, et al).

Monday August 17, 2009

4:00 to 6:45 p.m.

Review and Questions/Answers

Conclude Student Rights

Religious Expression and Curriculum

Assignment:Read Class Text, Chapter 6, (Daugherty) or Kops—Covered in chapters already read.

Tuesday,August 18, 2009

4:00 to 6:45 p.m.

Review and Questions/Answers

Special Education Law

Assignment: Read Class Text, Chapter 6, (Daugherty) or Chapter 7, (Kops, et al)

Conclusion

Evaluation