| The purpose of this research was to determine the knowledge of school law as it relates to freedom of speech and expression, freedom of religion, search and seizure, due process, corporal punishment, and tort liability possessed by student teachers, practicing teachers, principals, and superintendents in the state of Mississippi. The research further attempted to determine if the variables of status, certification level, certification type, years of experience, membership in professional organizations, or route for obtaining certification impacted the understanding of the aforementioned components of school law.; Student teachers from three state university teacher education programs were surveyed. Forty superintendents were surveyed. And, teachers and principals from thirty public schools were surveyed. The survey participants represented all types of public schools and public universities in Mississippi.; It was concluded that legal knowledge tended to increase as the status, years of experience, and level of certification increased. In addition, legal knowledge tended to increase as membership in professional organizations increased among the subjects. All survey participants tended to better understand the legal component of tort liability. However, no group proved to thoroughly understand all of the components of school law. Finally, it was concluded that educators knew the least about the legal components of due process and freedom of religion. |
