The problem is that school law (as it is typically denominated in schools of education) is not a required course for pre-service teachers. My students are all prospective administrators required to take it as graduate course. They all (or virtually all) say that the course should be required for every teacher before he or she graduates or is certified as a teacher or educator. Of course, with the trend toward devaluing schools of education (in favor of content specialization--at least for secondary school teachers), alternative certification, and the need to increase scores on high stakes tests, the likelihood that more colleges/schools of ed. would offer or require an undergraduate course in school law is decreasing. By and large, my students are, until they take my course (ahem--clears throat modestly) very unsure about how constitutional principles translate into real life situations. Sometimes, it is a question of believing the law or the Constitution is as you wish it to be rather than as it is. Frances Paterson, J.D., Ed.D. Professor Department of Curriculum, Leadership, and Technology College of Education Valdosta State University Valdosta, GA 31698-0090 **************Make your life easier with all your friends, email, and favorite sites in one place. Try it now. (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom00000010)
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