Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Chapters 7-9
Property and Privacy Confidentiality and Reporting Requirements Chronic Illness and Medical Emergencies
Make a mental list of why to search that will later be put on paper When students bring illegal items (drugs or guns) to school then school officials have an obligation to respond. If there is a reasonable suspicion that the search will produce illegal possessions then the search is allowed.
Strip Searches
Best to be left to law enforcement officials
Automobile Searches
While on school property, can be searched under reasonable cause.
Privacy
Searches invade privacy and must only be made according to the reasonable cause standard.
Drug Testing
Blood and urine tests are too intrusive and violate students privacy rights. Drug Testing only allowed for athletes
Schools may carry out certain suspicionless searches, such as random drug tests of athletes, the court ruled, because such tests are mandatory only for those who choose to participate in those voluntary activities.
Student Records
Explicitly written comments about students behavior, attitudes, actions, hygiene, and private facts violate a students privacy rights. Examples:
Comments in student records such as this girl is a thief and a liar - do not trust her or a lost year student does little or no work Newsletter stating a student was adopted
Confidential information must only be shared with appropriate people, do not gossip - could be considered defamation. Court will always support a report of suspected child abuse if it is made in good faith.
In a medical emergency focus on what is best for the child not who will pay. Teachers and counselors should be aware of health concerns. Medicine may only be given to those with proper authorization forms from parents or doctors. Teachers need basic first aid training and school leaders need CPR training. Schools may exclude students who have communicable diseases when still considered contagious.