States' Expectations for Teachers' Knowledge about School Law

Abstract

This article presents the results of a study that examined what states expect individuals to know about school law to become licensed to teach. A web-based survey was used to determine the extent to which state certification bureaus use their primary policy levers (licensing standards, transcript review, and mandated assessments) to ensure teacher competency in legal issues. Results indicate that only one state requires a course in school law or legal issues, that about half do not have or cannot identify licensing standards that address school law, and that knowledge of legal issues does not appear to be addressed by state-mandated licensure examinations. Findings suggest that school law is a construct for which minimal competency is expected of teachers in the certification process of most states. The article concludes that those invested in legal literacy should work collaboratively with state certification bureaus and professional organizations to strengthen state standards and assessments. I'm distressed to realize how underrepresented school law is in the State's expectations for teacher preparation. Even though the topics identified on the survey are critical for teachers to know in order to survive in today's classrooms! —State director of teacher certification survey response