The Educator's Guide to Texas School Law

by Jim Walsh, Laurie Maniotis, Frank Kemerer

Much has changed in the area of school law since the first edition of The Educator’s Guide was published in 1986. This new ninth edition offers an authoritative source on all major dimensions of Texas school law through the 2017 legislative sessions. Intended for educators, school board members, interested attorneys, and taxpayers, the ninth edition explains what the law is and what the implications are for effective school operations. It is designed to help professional educators avoid expensive and time-consuming lawsuits by taking effective preventive action. It is an especially valuable resource for school law courses and staff development sessions.
The ninth edition begins with a review of the legal structure of the Texas school system, incorporating recent innovative features such as charter schools and districts of innovation. Successive chapters address attendance, the instructional program, service to students with special needs, the rights of public school employees, the role of religion, student discipline, governmental transparency, privacy, parent rights, and the parameters of legal liability for schools and school personnel. The book includes discussion of major federal legislation, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Every Student Succeeds Act. On the state level, the book incorporates new laws pertaining to cyberbullying and inappropriate relationships between students and employees. Key points are illustrated through case law, and a complete index of case citations is included.

Genres: Education, Law, Leadership

501 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 31, 1985

Reviews

[Kerissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly can’t believe I finished this book. It was for my law class, but it still felt impossible. Second, this should be required reading for Texas educators. I’m in my 11th year in education and I didn’t know a LOT of this, which is embarrassing. I’m going to be keeping this one on my bookshelf for reference for sure.

[Ammie]

Not the most interesting of books...

[Deedra Lapray · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't technically read this one cover to cover, but I did read most of it. Enough to count. And it did cut into my other reading, so there's that. In all honesty, I learned a lot from this book. It's going to be a great resource for me moving forward. Or maybe I'll just GTS...

[Mandy Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be my favorite text book ever. First-voice. The author's of this textbook do their best to clearly explain the laws pertaining to schools- that in and of itself it hard. They do so with clarity and HUMOR. Your heard that right. There is a dry, and sarcastic wit laced throughout. I laughed OUT LOUD, at least twice. I was worried this would be my worst class in my master's and it was my favorite and I am laying it right at this book. I read the entire book. It was also the BEST resource out of any of my master's classes. It has the most practical advice for new educators. I am not expecting anyone to want to run out and read this book, but for what it was they did a stellar job.

[Trelawny Shepherd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is daunting, but valuable. It is manageable as a reference book, rather than reading cover to cover. In many instances, it requires readers to connect the dots in court cases— I would have felt it more useful for the authors to say “because of this decision, ______ is now the precedent— but perhaps that is only for the judge or justices to dictate. Regardless, I am holding on to my well marked copy to reference as I continue my path to educational leadership.

[Katie Slaughter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, actually really interesting! The authors include a little humor every so often that catches you when you’re starting to snooze and makes it more fun 😆 Required reading for a class, but I learned a lot!

[Maurice Peugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reference

[Shannon Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read this textbook for a Graduate level course.

[Lizz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty sure I’m basically a lawyer now 😂

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm having to read this book for my Education Amdminstrative Law class for graduate school and while some of it is dry simply because it is law, I think it's very well written and easy to follow. It does a great job of outlining the things future administrators in public education will need to be very familiar with! As of right now I've read Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8, but will get through the whole book by semester's end.

[Mr. Rubin-Toles · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is clearly organized, lucidly written, and occasionally leavened with humor, which I found surprising in a book about a topic that can be so dry.

It would be perfect if it contained some (more) clear tables that categorized the differences between various groups and laws -- for example, the kinds of employees: at-will, non-chapter 21, probationary, term, and continuous -- and the requirements for termination and due process.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is clearly organized, lucidly written, and occasionally leavened with humor, which I found surprising in a book about a topic that can be so dry.

It would be perfect if it contained some (more) clear tables that categorized the differences between various groups and laws -- for example, the kinds of employees: at-will, non-chapter 21, probationary, term, and continuous -- and the requirements for termination and due process.

[Nichole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not pick this up by choice. That said, the book was easy to read, even when I was tired. Don't plan on reading it again unless the need arises. Like in time to study for the State test.