Teaching the Art of Employee Discipline to Educational Leadership Candidates

Written by Fenwick, P. (September 2011). Instructional Module, School Law, Employee Discipline

Summary

This activity is designed to be utilized in a School Law class, but is also appropriate for a class in Human Resources. Holding students and staff accountable for their actions is essential to a well run school. School principals are prepared to deal with student accountability and student discipline issues, but rarely are principals ready to deal with behavioral infractions by staff members. This instructional module insures that the educational leadership student will understand due process rights, the doctrine of progressive discipline, and how to hold staff members accountable through documentation. The critical skill that the educational leadership student will obtain from this activity is the ability to write a thorough and legally sound letter of reprimand or warning addressed to a school employee to lay the foundation for possible further disciplinary action, including dismissal. The letter of reprimand or warning written by the educational leadership student will be comprehensive and able withstand scrutiny in a court of law.