AEE 4224 - Special Methods in Teaching Agricultural Education

Class 4: Liability & School Law

Objectives

1. Describe liability and Tort liability.

2. Identify practices that reduce liability.

3. Identify liability shields.

4. Identify sources of liability insurance.

5. Understand relevant school laws.

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Study Guide

Download this study guide and complete it as you go through this lesson.

Learning Activities

1. Working with  young people brings some special challenges. A teacher has certain responsibilities to keep their students safe. Watch this PowerPoint presentation on liability.

PowerPoint Notes in pdf format.

Task: Find an experienced teacher. Talk with them about how they reduce their liability and how school law affects them.

2. Providing an equal education is an important part of school law. Read this web page from the Florida Department of Education. 

Task: Talk with your principal or other administrator about school law.

3. Laws governing schools are part of the Florida State Statutes. Read the following sections related to this unit.

Student Safety (Transporting Students)

Inspection of Facilities

Eye Protection

4. In the unlikely event that you are sued, it is wise to have Professional Liability Insurance. By joining the National Association of Agricultural Educators/Florida Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE/FAAE), National Education Association/Florida Education Association (FEA), or American Federation of Teachers (AFT), you receive this insurance as a benefit. Read this article published in NAAE's "News and Views" newsletter.

Assignments

1.Each school district has policies and paperwork required for student activities and transportation. Collect all relevant paperwork and compile a portfolio that contains it. Email a copy of the table of contents to the instructor.

2. Providing a safe facility is important to reduce liability. Develop a plan to routinely inspect, maintain, and repair your facilities. Include relevant school district safety policies in this plan. Email this to the instructor.

3. Professional liability insurance helps protect teachers in the event of a law suit. Develop a plan to secure professional liability insurance - that is, explain how you protect yourself from financial ruin in the event of litigation. Email the instructor with an explanation of this plan.

4. Email the completed study guide to the instructor.