School+Law

School Law
Week 1 Analyzing IEP Policies [|EDLD_5344_Week_1_Assignment completed.doc]

Week 2 IEP Development [|EDLD_5344_Week_2_Assignment corrected version.doc]

Week 3 IEP Implementation [|EDLD_5344_Week_3_Assignment completed.doc]

Week 4 Student and Personnel Mangement [|EDLD_5344_Week_4_Assignment completed.doc]

Week 5 Reflections [|Week_5_Reflection final copy.docx] One of the most controversial and relevant issues regarding the use of technology is how to manage student responses to a blog or wiki posting site for school related topics. More and more teachers are attempting to use technology through the use of student blogs or wikis for students to respond to a lecture or topic and share ideas. For many teachers, they find this method helps to engage the students more, allow the use of technology in the classroom or from home, and opens the forum for deeper and more thought out interactive dialoguing. The concern, however, comes from determining how best to manage the responses that will be posted so as to monitor potentially inappropriate or offensive content to comply with CIPA and COPPA (for elementary and middle school students). I think the best method would be set up a filter on the blog or wiki site that sends the information to the teacher first who can then approve or not approve its placement on the web. This will allow the teachers to use technology but still protect the students, which is one of the primary goals I see as a technology leader. I am realizing why it is such a slow process to integrate the use of new technology into the classroom. It is not just a matter of “getting it set up” or just “using it,” but more importantly, using it in a safe and educational “best practices” form that complies with federal, state and local laws while being in the best interest of the student. I think professional development needs to be set up on the use of this new technology.
 * Student Mangement and Technology**

The information I found the most useful and beneficial regarding teacher evaluation and remediation related to a teacher’s job is that it is considered a property right and therefore documentation to terminate that teacher is not only time consuming but also difficult. While I know teacher support is critical, this information helps to guide where and how to offer the support so that if the teacher does not improve based on the support offered, the proper procedures have been followed to non-renew the contract and allow us to hire a more appropriate match to the position. This information helps me become a better leader by helping to clearly define my goals for PDH, expectations for my staff, and my responses to concerns I may have with staff members. I think more information on my role as a school leader for teacher support, as opposed to directing other members of my staff to help support the struggling teacher, would be beneficial. Finding this information in additional courses or in my local policy guide would be a good place to start, along with talking with school leaders at my school.
 * Personnel Mangement**

Copyright and intellectual property law is confusing for teachers, parents, and students. The fact that schools have rights for educational purposes under the Fair Use doctrine does not mean that students and teachers have the right to use someone else’s work without attribution. I believe the most important aspect of being a technology leader in my school or district is to create and implement a new technology policy that includes a code of ethics and set of procedures so that teachers and students do not unknowingly break the law in as it relates to Copyright law. We do a disservice to our students if we do not teach ethical and legal behavior for technology use. Knowledge as it relates to Creative Commons license will guide me as I develop professional development opportunities for the staff. I not only need to help lead the direction our school or district goes with technology, but to show administrators, parents and teachers how to use it, and how important it is for the balanced education of their students. More and more I feel it is imperative the teachers become not only comfortable with their understanding of copyright law, but digitally fluent so as to support its proper use of others’ intellectual property and how it can be incorporated into the curriculum.
 * Improving Professional Practice**