Mary Angela Shaughnessy
Published: 1998
Total Pages: 136
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This book examines legal issues that affect Catholic high schools. Chapter 1 discusses sources of the law and how fairness and due process, federal and state statutes, and various guidelines shape the law. Tort law, corporal punishment, search and seizure, defamation of character, and negligence are covered in chapter 2. Chapter 3 details issues surrounding student privacy and such issues as confidentiality of records, whereas chapter 4 describes the staff-student relationship and how the law governs confidentiality, sexual misconduct, physical contact, and other behaviors. Since student confessions can be an important part of the teacher-student relationship, legal aspects of confidentiality, legal immunity, case law, the student journal, and school retreats are discussed. Chapter 6 looks at child abuse and neglect and considers statutory guidelines, inservice education, who should file a child-abuse report, and teachers and abuse. Sexual harassment is treated in the next chapter, which includes an overview of actions that constitute harassment and suggested policies for addressing reports of harassment. Other topics receiving treatment include accommodating students with special needs, extracurricular and cocurricular activities, personal conduct of professional staff, gangs, copyright law, school handbooks, and Catholic-school finances. Each chapter includes a section for reflection and discussion. (RJM)