TEA Principal Educational Law & Policy 3

Question 1

A teacher is accused of corporal punishment in violation of district policy. Under Texas Education Code, a principal's first obligation is to:

Accepted Answer

Conduct a thorough and impartial investigation before taking disciplinary action

Answer

Suspend the teacher with pay pending investigation

Answer

Immediately terminate the teacher's contract

Answer

Report the incident to TEA before conducting any internal review

Question 2

Under the Texas Whistleblower Act, a public school employee who reports a violation of law to an appropriate law enforcement authority is protected from:

Accepted Answer

Retaliation by the governmental entity that employs them

Answer

Civil lawsuits filed by community members

Answer

State licensing board sanctions

Answer

STAAR accountability consequences

Question 3

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex. When a student reports sexual harassment by a peer, the principal must:

Accepted Answer

Respond promptly and equitably, including conducting an investigation

Answer

Wait for law enforcement to complete their investigation before acting

Answer

Immediately expel the accused student

Answer

Refer the matter solely to the school counselor

Question 4

Texas Education Code §37.0012 designates one person on each campus as a 'campus behavior coordinator.' What is the primary responsibility of this role?

Accepted Answer

Administering and overseeing student discipline

Answer

Implementing gifted and talented programming

Answer

Managing the campus RTI/MTSS process

Answer

Coordinating all Section 504 accommodations

Question 5

A principal wants to search a student's backpack based on a tip from another student. Under New Jersey v. T.L.O., the search is legal if:

Accepted Answer

There is reasonable suspicion that the search will uncover evidence of a rule violation

Answer

Law enforcement is present to conduct the search

Answer

The principal has obtained written parental consent

Answer

A search warrant has been issued by a judge

Question 6

Under the Texas Open Meetings Act, a school board meeting quorum is required before the board can conduct official business. A quorum for a seven-member school board is:

Accepted Answer

Four members

Answer

Three members

Answer

Five members

Answer

Six members

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the doctrine of 'in loco parentis' as it applies to Texas public school principals?

Accepted Answer

Principals have the legal authority to act in place of parents while students are under school supervision

Answer

Principals must defer all disciplinary decisions to parents

Answer

Parents may attend any school meeting and override principal decisions

Answer

Principals must notify parents before making any instructional decisions