Principal Educational Law & Policy Flashcards

A teacher is accused of corporal punishment in violation of district policy. Under Texas Education Code, a principal's first obligation is to:

Answer: Conduct a thorough and impartial investigation before taking disciplinary action

Due process requires a fair investigation before disciplinary action; principals must gather facts before recommending any employment action.

Under the Texas Whistleblower Act, a public school employee who reports a violation of law to an appropriate law enforcement authority is protected from:

Answer: Retaliation by the governmental entity that employs them

The Texas Whistleblower Act prohibits governmental employers from retaliating against employees who in good faith report legal violations.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex. When a student reports sexual harassment by a peer, the principal must:

Answer: Respond promptly and equitably, including conducting an investigation

Title IX requires schools to promptly and equitably respond to sexual harassment complaints, including conducting a formal investigation.

Texas Education Code §37.0012 designates one person on each campus as a 'campus behavior coordinator.' What is the primary responsibility of this role?

Answer: Administering and overseeing student discipline

The campus behavior coordinator is primarily responsible for implementing the student code of conduct and administering student discipline.

A principal wants to search a student's backpack based on a tip from another student. Under New Jersey v. T.L.O., the search is legal if:

Answer: There is reasonable suspicion that the search will uncover evidence of a rule violation

New Jersey v. T.L.O. established that school searches require reasonable suspicion, not probable cause, and no warrant is needed.

Under the Texas Open Meetings Act, a school board meeting quorum is required before the board can conduct official business. A quorum for a seven-member school board is:

Answer: Four members

A quorum is a simple majority; for a seven-member board, that means four members must be present to conduct official business.

Which of the following best describes the doctrine of 'in loco parentis' as it applies to Texas public school principals?

Answer: Principals have the legal authority to act in place of parents while students are under school supervision

In loco parentis grants school officials authority to act in the place of parents for students under their supervision, including in matters of discipline and safety.