ADMN 5023 Public School Law - Dr. William Allan Kritsonis

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PVAMU
ADMN 5023-N01 Public School Law
Department of Educational College of Whitlowe R. Green College
Leadership & of Education
Counseling

Instructor Name: Dr. William Allan Kritsonis
Office Location: Delco Building, Suite 233
Office Phone: (936) 261-3652 (832) 483-7889 Cell
Fax: (936) 261-3617
Email Address: williamkritsonis@yahoo.com or wakritsonis@pvamu.edu
Snail Mail (U.S. Postal Service) Address: Prairie View A&M University
P.O. Box 519
Mail Stop 2420 Delco Building, Suite 233
Prairie View, TX 77446

Office Hours: ( Northwest Center) 12:00 – 5:30 PM, 8:20 – 9:20 PM (T); (PVAMU) 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM (W);
(PVAMU) 10:00 – 2:00 PM, 4:50 – 5:50 PM (S); Contact Dr. Kritsonis for Specific Appointment
Times

Virtual Office Hours:

Course Face to Face
Configuration:

Course Location: Northwest Campus Rm. 206
Class Meeting Days & Times: Tuesday 5:30 – 8:20 PM

Course Abbreviation and ADMN 5023
Number:

Catalog Description: An examination and study of legal principles as they apply to public education
(Credit 3 semester hours).

Prerequisites: Admission to master’s program in educational administration
Co-requisites: None

Required Text: Kemerer, J., Walsh, F., & Maniotis, L. (2010). The educator’s guide to Texas school law (7th
ed.). Austin, TX: University of Texas Press. ISBN: 13:9780292722934 or 10:0292722931

Required Reading: Collins, J., & Hansen, M.T. ((2011). Great by choice. New York, NY: HarperCollins
Publishers. ISBN: 978-0-06-212099-1. ( I Read Book)

The University Bookstore or Barnes and Noble are good places to get the books.

House Bill 2504: House Bill 2504 does allow students the choice not to purchase the class
textbook(s). Students have the choice of using alternative methods to access
textbook information (internet websites, books on reserved at the library, etc).
Students are required and held accountability to complete all assignments as
noted in the syllabus.

Access to Learning PVAMU Library:
Resources: phone: (936) 261-1500;
web: http://www.tamu.edu/pvamu/library/
University Bookstore:
phone: (936) 261-1990;
web: https://www.bkstr.com/Home/10001-10734-1?demoKey=d

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Course Goals or Overview:
The goals of this course are to:
1. Acquire sufficient legal knowledge to carry out administrative responsibilities within the framework of the
legal system.
2. Prepare the candidate for success on the TExES Exam #068.
3. Acquire sufficient legal knowledge that should the administrator be faced with a law suit, he/she can be
successfully defended.

Course Objectives:
The objectives of this course are to:
1. Prepare school administrators as problem solvers, critical thinkers, and decision makers.
2. Prepare school administrators as educational leaders who have the knowledge and ability to promote
the success of all students by managing the organization, operations, and resources in a way that
promotes a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment (3.0).
3. Prepare school administrators as educational leaders who have the knowledge and ability to promote the
success of all students by acting with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner (5.0).
4. Prepare school administrators as educational leaders who have the knowledge and ability to promote the
success of all students by understanding, responding to, and influencing the larger political, social,
economic, legal, and cultural context (6.0).

Accrediting Body: (NCATE) Standards Met: (ELCC Standards 3.0, 5.0, & 6.0) (ISLLC Standards 3.0, 5.0, &
6.0)
At the end of this course, the student will:
1. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the American and Texas legal systems and the impact on schools
including US and Texas constitutional provisions, statutory enactments, administrative regulations, and
court decisions (3.0).
2. Demonstrate and apply technological innovation in the development of legal issue course components that
influence the policy process in schools (3.0).
3. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the legal framework governing education and the federal, state and
local levels including the structure and function of courts, legislative bodies, administrative agencies and
local school boards in the process of formulating policy relative to all school operations and programs
(3.0).
4. Demonstrate an ability to make decisions based upon ethical and legal principles (5.0).
5. Demonstrate and ability to implement policies and procedures that encourage all campus personnel
to comply with the Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators (5.0).
6. Demonstrate and apply knowledge about the Texas Education Code and the Texas Administrative Code
(5.0).
7. Demonstrate and apply legal, ethical, social, historical and political issues in the process of formulating
policy, rules, regulations and procedures (6.0).
8. Demonstrate and apply knowledge about state, federal, and local legal provisions to school legal problems
(6.0).
9. Demonstrate and apply knowledge about how the legal and political systems and the institutional
framework of schools shape a school and community (6.0).
10. Demonstrate an ability to research a legal problem and apply this knowledge to solving school legal
problems (6.0).
(ELCC and ISLLC Standards are the same.)

TExES Domain & Competencies Areas

DOMAIN I: School Community Leadership - Values and Ethics

DOMAIN II: Instructional Leadership - Curriculum Planning and Development
Professional Development/Human Resources

DOMAIN III: Administrative Leadership – Safety, Leadership, and Management

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E-FOLD-P (CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK)
Educator as Facilitator of Learning for Diverse Populations

5.0 To prepare beginning administrators as problem solvers, critical thinkers and decision makers.
6.0 To prepare beginning administrators as facilitators of teacher and student growth and development
through understanding of leadership dimensions.
7.0 To provide beginning administrators with an awareness of human diversity, a knowledge of the importance
and skills needed for effective community and parental involvement.
8.0 To prepare beginning administrators to be reflect and continual learners with knowledge and value of self
appraisal techniques and goal setting for a strong personal commitment.

Quality Without Compromise
Closing the Loop
The Six Question Model at Prairie View A&M University

Outcome

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ult

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Assessed?

Cycle Dana/Thomas-Smith/Closing the Loop Six Question Model/landscape

TExES Practice Materials and Exams
The Whitlowe R. Green College of Education has purchased TExES practice materials and exams for students
seeking State Certification. These materials and exams are located in the Educator Preparation Lab on the third
floor (room 332) in Delco. The lab will be open from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm Monday through Friday and 8:00 am to
4:00 pm on Saturday. Students are strongly encouraged to visit the lab to review materials and take the practice
exams to increase their success on the TExES. You have to take this electronic exam to get permission to take
the TExES.

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Certification Students ONLY
All students pursuing Principal and School Counselor certification are required to make contact with the Office of
Teacher Certification and have on file with that office a deficiency plan. Please submit to the course instructor a
copy of your deficiency plan before the end of the semester. If you do not have one please contact the office
below.

Whitlowe R. Green College of Education
Office of Teacher Education
Delco Bldg., Room 302
P. O. Box 519; Mail Stop 2425
Prairie View, Texas 77446-0519
Tel: (936) 261-3605

All students pursuing Principal and School Counselor certification are required to devote 5 hours per
week studying for the certification exam utilizing the study material on the website CertifyTeacher.
Students must provide on a weekly basis an electronic copy to their course instructor verifying the study
time.

WWW.CERTIFYTEACHER.COM

WEEKLY CALENDAR

Week 1: Jan. 17, 2012 Topic: Introduction to class, discussion of syllabus, sign up for groups and topics, and
pretest
Assignment: Read Chapter 1, Work on Group Paper, I Read, and Portfolio

Week 2: Jan. 24, 2012 Topic: Overview of Education Law, Texas Schools, and Parent Rights

Week 3: Jan. 31, 2012 Topic: Student Attendance & Instructional Program

Week 4: Feb. 7, 2012 Topic: Special Education

Week 5: Feb. 14, 2012 Topic: Employment Relationship

Week 6: Feb. 21, 2012 Topic: Personnel Issues

Week 7: Feb. 28, 2012 Topic: Expression and Association Rights

Week 8: Mar. 6, 2012 Topic: Religion in Schools

Week 9: Mar. 13, 2012 Topic: SPRING BREAK
Assignment:

Week 10: Mar. 20, 2012 Topic: Student Discipline, I Read Assignment Due
Assignment: Read Chapter 9, Work on Group Paper, 13 Virtues, and Portfolio

Week 11: Mar. 27, 2012 Topic: Privacy Issues: Community, Education, and Students
Assignment: Read Chapter 10, Work on Group Paper, 13 Virtues, and Portfolio

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Week 12: Apr. 3, 2012 Topic: Out of Class Assignment
Assignment: Work on 13 Virtues and Portfolio

Week 13: Apr. 10, 2012 Topic: Legal Liability

Week 14: Apr. 17, 2012 Topic: Complete Post-Test, Discuss 13 Virtues

Week 15: Apr. 24, 2012 Topic: Review for Final Exam, Portfolio and Franklin’s 13 Virtues Due
Assignment: Study for Final Exam

Week 16: May 1, 2012 FINAL EXAM (Tentative)

STUDENTS TAKING THE PRINCIPAL CERTIFICATION TEST MUST ATTEND
MANDATORY PRINCIPAL REVIEW SESSIONS WITH ELAINE WILMORE ON FEBRUARY
4TH AND APRIL 21ST, 2012 AT 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (LOCATION TO BE ANNOUNCED)

Course Evaluation Methods
This course will utilize the following instruments to determine student grades:
Exams -- written tests designed to measure knowledge of presented course material
Group Paper including Presentation – assignment designed to supplement and reinforce course material
and readings (20 point reduction for late project)
Franklin’s 13 Virtues -- assignment designed to supplement readings (20 point reduction for late project)
I Read Paper -- assignment designed to supplement readings (20 point reduction for late project)
Portfolio -- assignment designed to supplement and reinforce course material and readings (20 point
reduction for late portfolio)
CertifyTeacher Study Time -- assignment designed to supplement and reinforce course material and
readings
Class Participation -- daily attendance and participation in class discussions

Grading Matrix

Instrument Value (points or percentages) Total
Final Exam Final Exam at 75 points 75
Group Paper (5 Court Decisions) Paper at 50 points 50
Franklin’s 13 Virtues Journal at 130 points 130
I Read Paper Paper at 50 points 50
Portfolio (Notebook) Portfolio at 75 points 75
Study Time 15 X 5 HRS = 75 points 75
Class Participation 15 X 3=45 points 45
Total: 500

Grade Determination:
A = 451 -- 500 pts;
B = 401 -- 450 pts;
C = 351 -- 400 pts;
D = 301 -- 350 pts;
F = 300 pts or below

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Group Paper
The Group Paper is designed to give you a summary of the court cases in Texas which deals with key
educational issues relative to each chapter in the textbook. Groups of two or three students (depending on
class size) will prepare a paper from designated chapters in the textbook. Your paper and presentation must
include a summary of five (5) court decisions (DICTAS) and applicable laws relative to the selected chapter/
topic. Each group will be responsible for providing classmates with copies of the five (5) court decisions
(DICTAS). Examples will be provided in class. There will be a 20 point reduction for late group papers. The
Group Paper presentation will be given in class on the date assigned to the particular chapter/topic.
You will need to submit a hard copy and a CD to Dr. Kritsonis.

Franklin’s 13 Virtues
1. Temperance – Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
2. Silence – Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
3. Order – Let all your things have their place; let each part of your business have its time.
4. Resolution – Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without failing what you resolve.
5. Frugality – Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
6. Industry – Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
7. Sincerity – Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
8. Justice – Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
9. Moderation – Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. Cleanliness – Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.
11. Tranquility – Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
12. Chastity – Rarely use “very” but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of you
own or another’s peace or reputation.
13. Humility – Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

You will keep a journal of your progress relative to implementing each virtue over the entire semester. By the
end of the semester, you will be implementing all 13 virtues. You will discuss your progress weekly in class.
There will be a 20 point reduction for a late journal. Due: April 24, 2012.

I Read Paper
You will write a five (5) page paper summarizing the I Read Book assigned this semester. You will include
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how the ideas in the book have impacted your life. Please format the paper according to APA (6 ed.)
guidelines. There will be a 20 point reduction for a late paper. Due: March 20, 2012.

Study Time:
The Whitlowe R. College of Education has purchased TExES practice materials and exams for students
seeking State Certification. These materials and exams are located in the Educator Preparation Lab on the
third floor (room 332) in Delco. You are required to devote 5 hours per week studying for the certification
exam utilizing the study material on the website CertifyTeacher. You must provide, on a weekly basis, an
electronic copy as documentation of your study time to Dr. Kritsonis. At the end of your session, you will
either save your session in pdf format on your flash drive or print out a copy of your session that you will scan
to your computer, save, and then email to Dr. Kritsonis. Email it titled with your name and date of session.
You will lose your points for the week for this assignment if not submitted by the 5:00 PM deadline.
(wakritsonis@pvamu.edu) Due: Sunday by 5:00 PM

Portfolio
The Portfolio is a compilation of all pertinent information given in class by the professor and court decision
handouts provided by the students. There will be a 20 point reduction for a late portfolio.
The Portfolio will be due on April 24, 2012.

TRUE OUTCOMES
True Outcomes was a tool used by the University for Assessment Purposes. Currently, PVAMU is transitioning
from it to another assessment tool for students. The new assessment tool. Artifacts that will be uploaded will
be announced during the course of the semester.

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eCourses (Moodle)
PVAMU is moving to a new course management system (CMS) for online and web-assisted courses. Starting
in the 2011 Fall semester, eCourses will use the Moodle System.

Course Procedures
Submission of Assignments:
Assignments will be distributed and submitted in class. Hard copies and CDs of all assignments will be submitted
to Dr. Kritsonis.

Formatting Documents:
Microsoft Word is the standard word processing tool used at PVAMU. If you’re using other word processors, be
sure to use the “save as” tool and save the document in either the Microsoft Word, Rich-Text, or plain text format.

Exam Policy
Exams should be taken as scheduled. No makeup examinations will be allowed except under documented
emergencies (See Student Handbook).

Professional Organizations and Journals
American Association for School Administrators
Education Law Association
National Association of Elementary School Principals
National Association of Secondary School Principals
Phi Delta Kappa
Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association
Texas Association of Secondary School Principals
American Journal of Education
American School Board Journal
Education Administration Abstracts
Education Administration Quarterly
Education Week
Educational Leadership
NASSP Bulletin
National FORUM Journals (www.nationalforum.com)
Phi Delta Kappan
TASSP News Highlights
TEPSA Journal
Texas Study
Theory Into Practice
Today’s Education
West Education Reporter

References
American Association for School Administrators (http://www.aasa.org/aboutcontent.cfm?ItemNumber=215)
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American Psychological Association (2009). Publication manual of the APA (6 ed.). Washington DC: Author
Educational Leadership Constituents Council (ELCC) Standards
(http://www.npbea.org/ELCCStandards%20_5-02.pdf)
Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) Standards
(www.ccsso.org/projects/education_leadership_initiatives/ISLLC_standards/)
Journals of Law and Education
Lexis Nexis Database
National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) (www.ncate.org/public/standards.asp)
West Law Database

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University Rules and Procedures
Disability statement (See Student Handbook):
Students with disabilities, including learning disabilities, who wish to request accommodations in class should
register with the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) early in the semester so that appropriate
arrangements may be made. In accordance with federal laws, a student requesting special accommodations must
provide documentation of their disability to the SSD coordinator.

Academic misconduct (See Student Handbook):
You are expected to practice academic honesty in every aspect of this course and all other courses. Make sure you
are familiar with your Student Handbook, especially the section on academic misconduct. Students who engage in
academic misconduct are subject to university disciplinary procedures.

Forms of academic dishonesty:
1. Cheating: deception in which a student misrepresents that he/she has mastered information on an academic
exercise that he/she has not mastered; giving or receiving aid unauthorized by the instructor on assignments
or examinations.

2. Academic misconduct: tampering with grades or taking part in obtaining or distributing any part of a scheduled
test.

3. Fabrication: use of invented information or falsified research.

4. Plagiarism: unacknowledged quotation and/or paraphrase of someone else’s words, ideas, or data as one’s
own work submitted for credit. Failure to identify information or essays from the Internet and submitting
them as one’s own work also constitutes plagiarism.

Nonacademic misconduct (See Student Handbook)
The university respects the rights of instructors to teach and students to learn. Maintenance of these rights
requires campus conditions that do not impede their exercise. Campus behavior that interferes with either (1) the
instructor’s ability to conduct the class, (2) the inability of other students to profit from the instructional program, or
(3) campus behavior that interferes with the rights of others will not be tolerated. An individual engaging in such
disruptive behavior may be subject to disciplinary action. Such incidents will be adjudicated by the Dean of
Students under nonacademic procedures.

Sexual misconduct (See Student Handbook):
Sexual harassment of students and employers at Prairie View A&M University is unacceptable and will not be
tolerated. Any member of the university community violating this policy will be subject to disciplinary action.

Attendance Policy:
Prairie View A&M University requires regular class attendance. Excessive absences will result in lowered grades.
Excessive absenteeism, whether excused or unexcused, may result in a student’s course grade being reduced or
in assignment of a grade of “F”. Absences are accumulated beginning with the first day of class.

Student Academic Appeals Process
Authority and responsibility for assigning grades to students rests with the faculty. However, in those instances
where students believe that miscommunication, errors, or unfairness of any kind may have adversely affected the
instructor's assessment of their academic performance, the student has a right to appeal by the procedure listed in
the Undergraduate Catalog and by doing so within thirty days of receiving the grade or experiencing any other
problematic academic event that prompted the complaint.

Two “C” Rule
Please Note: Continual matriculation at PVAMU requires that no more than two C’s shall be earned in a graduate
degree program. Any grade earned below a C means automatic dismissal from the graduate program.

NOTE: No grade of “C” or below will be accepted toward certification.

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TEA ID Number Requirements and Process:
Prairie View A&M University, County-District # 237501, will receive an Oversight visit by the Texas Education
Agency (TEA), Division of Educator Standards during the academic year 2011-2012. This visit is to comply with the
Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 229.6(a)-the continuing approval of an educator preparation program.

State Ethics Law:
Texas Educators’ Code of Ethics-TAC 247.2

Technical Considerations for Online and Web-Assist Courses
Minimum Hardware and Software Requirements:
-Pentium with Windows XP or PowerMac with OS 9
-56K modem or network access
-Internet provider with SLIP or PPP
-8X or greater CD-ROM
-64MB RAM
-Hard drive with 40MB available space
-15” monitor, 800x600, color or 16 bit
-Sound card w/speakers
-Microphone and recording software
-Keyboard & mouse
-Netscape Communicator ver. 4.61 or Microsoft Internet Explorer ver. 5.0 /plug-ins
-Participants should have a basic proficiency of the following computer skills:
·Sending and receiving email
·A working knowledge of the Internet
·Proficiency in Microsoft Word
·Proficiency in the Acrobat PDF Reader
·Basic knowledge of Windows or Mac O.S.

Netiquette (online etiquette): Students are expected to participate in all discussions and virtual classroom chats
when directed to do so. Students are to be respectful and courteous to others in the discussions. Foul or abusive
language will not be tolerated. When referring to information from books, websites or articles, please use APA
standards to reference sources.

Technical Support: Students should call the Prairie View A&M University Helpdesk at 936-261-2525 for technical
issues with accessing your online course. The helpdesk is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week. For other
technical questions regarding your online course, call the Office of Distance Learning at 936-261-3290 or 936-261-
3282.

Communication Expectations and Standards:
All emails or discussion postings will receive a response from the instructor within 48 hours.

You can send email anytime that is convenient to you, but I check my email messages continuously during the day
throughout the work-week (Monday through Friday). I will respond to email messages during the work-week by the
close of business (5:00 pm) on the day following my receipt of them. Emails that I receive on Friday will be
responded to by the close of business on the following Monday.

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NOTICE OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Prairie View A&M University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex,
disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person(s) has been designated to handle
inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
Name: Renee R. Williams
Title: Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer/Title IX Coordinator
Institution: Prairie View A&M University
Office of Student Affairs & Institutional Relations
Address: P.O. Box 519: MS 1107
A.I. Thomas Building, St 013
Prairie View, Texas 77446
Telephone: 936-261-2123
Fax: 936-261-2138
Email: rrwilliams@pvamu.edu

Individuals requesting a disability accommodation should contact:
Name: Dr. Kay Norman
Title: Administrator for Diagnostic Testing and Disability Services
Institution: Prairie View A&M University
Email: kfnorman@pvamu.edu

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New University Policies and Regulations
*Effective fall 2011
New Policy: Withdrawal from the University (Undergraduates Only):
When an Undergraduate student withdraws from all classes…
• A registration hold will be placed on the student’s record.
• Consultation with the respective department for advisement is REQURIED to
have hold lifted to allow future registration at the University.

New Policy: +/-Transfer Grades Regulation (Undergraduate and Graduate):
• The + and/or – WILL NOT be considered in the evaluation. The grade
transferred will report as grade earned, for example C- will transfer as a C.
• This regulation IS NOT retroactive.
• This regulation applies only to courses that are being reviewed for transfer
credit effective fall 2011.

Grade Replacement Regulation (Undergraduate Students Only):
• Students will have the option to replace up to 12 semester credit hours of
courses where a C, D or F is earned in a course, effective with courses taken
fall 2011.
• Students would have to request to replace the course by the Census Date
(12th class date) of the following semester.
• Grades repeated but not replaced will be averaged in the cumulative grade
point average.

Administrative Drop (All Students):
• Students who do not attend “at least one day” of class by February 14, 2012,
will be administratively dropped from that course. PLEASE NOTE THIS MAY
AFFECT THE FINANCIAL AID AWARD.
• If a student is subsequently dropped from ALL of their courses; they will
automatically be WITHDRAWN from the university.
• Students will be notified of their Administrative Drop via email.

QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE FOR
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AT (936) 261-2175 OR THE REGISTRAR’S OFFICE AT
(936) 261-1049.

ADMN 5023 Public School Law - Dr. William Allan Kritsonis

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