Fiscal responsibility matters at institutions of higher learning, especially when they are public and supported by taxpayers, but colleges are not businesses. The consequences of fiscal irresponsibility profoundly affect students, faculty, and staff, as well as teaching, research, and service activities. This essay gives a brief history of the…

Cassie Barnhardt, Marisol Ramos, and Kimberly Reyes share a case study of an undocumented student's academic success to demonstrate the importance of administrative commitment, clarity, and consistency in supporting such students in the unique challenges they face. (Contains 13 notes.)

In a 2012 paper for the Center for American Progress, "The State of Evaluation Reform," Patrick McGuinn (Drew University) identified the opportunities and challenges facing education agencies in Race to the Top (RTTT) grant-winning states as they prepared for the implementation of new teacher evaluation systems. The 2012 study undertook…

The purpose of this study was to identify the job responsibilities perceived as most important in maintaining school district financial solvency. Additionally, the study sought to identify specific financial management strategies school business officials (SBO) could consider to maintain financial solvency in their school districts. A total of 208…

This activity is designed to be utilized in a School Law class, but is also appropriate for a class in Human Resources. Holding students and staff accountable for their actions is essential to a well run school. School principals are prepared to deal with student accountability and student discipline issues, but rarely are principals ready to deal…

Discusses legal problems confronting department administrators. Covers equal opportunity, tenure and promotion, truth in advertising, and areas particular to the theatre: contracts with guest directors and artists, copyrights and royalties, and safety. (PD)

School administrators must become familiar with tort liability laws in order to protect themselves against possible negligence or defamation suits. (LH)

Superintendents must become adept at selecting an in-house attorney or outside counsel, anticipating legal-service costs, and spotting red flags. Although the school attorney's most regular contact is the superintendent, the school board is the client. Mutual respect is essential. Preventive law's primary goals are keeping the district out of…

School executives move beyond the bounds of ethical behavior when they exercise favoritism or act unethically to avoid trouble. Because public agencies are empowered by a political system driven by influence and power, confusion and uncertainty often arise. Sidebars advise how to handle hypothetical situations and clarify ethics policies. (MLH)

Explains the new obligations imposed on school officials by federal legislation on student records reflected in this bill under the Education Amendments of 1974. (Author/JF)

Schoolmen who lose suits brought against them under the rediscovered Civil Rights Act of 1871 must dig into their own pockets to pay damages. Describes insurance that can be obtained for protection. (Author/DN)

There are no easy answers in the area of the right of free speech. The academic rights of teachers cannot be affirmed without also recognizing the rights of parents and the responsibilities of administrators. The First Amendment represents a national commitment to risk on the side of freedom. (Author/JN)

Principals are responsible for improving the grading and marking systems in their schools. School administrators should provide leadership for designing, revising, and validating grading systems that meet sound measurement principles, are applied uniformly, and match local needs. This article reviews definitions, operational principles, legal…

To solve the software piracy problem in education, teachers and professionals in positions of responsibility relative to computing must refuse to "go along with" the practice of unauthorized piracy. Software producers must work out agreements that will permit educational institutions to have quality software at reasonable prices. (CB)

Superintendents who are knowledgeable about the law, understand its application to school operations, and provide ongoing training of site administrators are less likely to be mired in threatened lawsuits. The school attorney should be a valued, but not pivotal resource driving administrative decision making. Legal basics (including pitfalls)…