A first-person story of an educator who lost his job as principal of a tiny Eskimo settlement because he married an Eskimo woman. (JF)

Provides guidelines for meeting legal standards of fairness in teacher evaluation. (WD)

Reviews rationale for firing incompetent teachers and obstacles to dismissal. Citing 13 specific court decisions, discusses subcategories of successful dismissal cases involving insubordination and neglect of duty, unprofessional behavior, immorality, and inferior classroom performance. Mentions dismissal cases that foundered due to First…

This article provides comments on an extensive sample of court cases that hinge on matters of general teacher dismissal and/or violation of a teacher's civil rights. (JA)

By building in due process procedures and substantive review, a school system provides the opportunity for the teacher, the supervisor, and the administrator to work together to improve the instructional environment. (Author/IRT)

Once a teacher can establish that conduct protected by the Constitution was the major cause of his/her dismissal, the burden of establishing another cause of termination falls on the school board. (Author/IRT)

Asked elementary and middle school principals in Oregon to identify barriers to dealing effectively with inadequately performing teachers. Findings show that principals believe teacher unions to be the biggest barrier, with the union representative more often to blame than the union contract. Principals also identify the time required to engage in…

The administration of Lehigh University acted improperly in denying further appointment to Mrs. Margerite B. Gravez, after she had served appreciably in excess of the maximun probationary period permitted. (Author/PG)

Presents the AAUP's recommended institutional regulation for termination of an appointment based on factors beyond the affected individual's control. (Author/PG)

A study of 80 teachers who were part of a reduction in force (RIF) effort in a large midwestern city was conducted. The study investigated: (1) characteristics of the RIF'd teachers; (2) reactions to RIF notice; (3) steps taken by teachers to prevent the RIF action; (4) resources used by RIF teachers to seek new positions; and (5) characteristics…

This paper discusses the current issues of homosexuality, the law, and public schools. It states that school administrators need to understand homosexuality as a concept and as a legal issue because research on homosexuality has historically been remiss and court cases regarding the rights of homosexuals are increasing. Following a brief summary…

The speaker accepts the theory that nothing happens for the betterment of education until the superintendent develops an educational climate that is conducive to a healthy learning situation and a positive attitude from the community. A healthy climate is greatly enhanced when the process of personnel evaluation starts with the board and the…

Criteria and procedures for dismissing full-time faculty at Grays Harbor College are listed. These procedures are to be followed for faculty dismissal because of program termination or reduction, decreases in enrollment, changes in educational policy or substantial evidence of a serious shortage of funds. All phases of the reduction process are…

This document, noting that teacher evaluation has now become a terror for teachers due to legislation such as the Stull Act, reviews the major assessment alternatives for teacher competence appraisal. The author discusses the use and merits of ratings, observations, and pupil test performance and finds them all to have fatal defects. He then…

In this paper, the author defines due process, discusses its elements, describes its minimum essentials, and examines court cases which apply the doctrine to teachers, administrators, and students. The court cases discussed by the author indicate situations in which due process is mandated and the extent of due process required in these…