The legal system -- Historical and legal perspective of public schools -- Role of the federal government -- Governance of public schools -- Church and state -- School attendance -- The instructional program -- Student speech and expression -- Search and seizure -- Student rights : common law, constitutional due process, and statutory protections -- Rights of students with disabilities -- Tort liability -- Defamation and student records -- School district liability -- Certification, contracts, and tenure -- Teacher rights and freedoms -- Due process rights of teachers -- Discrimination in employment -- Collective bargaining -- Desegregation of public schools -- School finance -- School property and buildings -- Appendix A. Selected constitutional provisions -- Appendix B. Information helpful in legal research