Exam Coverage Spring 2011


1.  The exam will cover the material through Assignment 16 on the syllabus with the exception of Assignment 14 on the subject of Special Education.

2.  As stated on the syllabus, the exam will be a three-hour closed book exam.

3.  There will be one question that requires you to analyze a provision of a state constitution. The state at issue will be the hypothetical State of Stone. The Stone Constitution contains the following provisions, any of which may be relevant to an exam question:


STONE CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I - DECLARATION OF RIGHTS

Sec. 5. Education.

    The education of children is a fundamental value of the people of the State of Stone.

Section 7. Religion

    There shall be no law respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting or penalizing the free exercise thereof. Religious freedom shall not justify practices inconsistent with public morals, peace or safety. No revenue of the state or any political subdivision or agency thereof shall ever be taken from the public treasury in aid of any church, sectarian school, sect, or religious denomination. No sectarian or denominational doctrine shall be taught, or instruction thereon be permitted, directly or indirectly, in any of the public schools of this State.


ARTICLE X - EDUCATION

Sec. 1. Uniform system of schools.

    The Legislature shall provide by taxation and otherwise for a uniform and adequate system of free public schools wherein equal opportunities shall be provided for all students.

Sec. 2. Limitation on funding.

    No public money allocated to the support of the public schools shall ever be appropriated for the support of any school not under the exclusive control of the officers of the public schools.

Sec. 3. State Board of Education.

    (1) The State Board of Education shall consist of the Lieutenant Governor and ten members appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate.

    (2) The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall be the secretary and chief administrative officer of the State Board of Education.

Sec. 4. Powers and Duties of Board.

    The State Board of Education shall supervise and administer the free public school system and the educational funds provided for its support and shall make all needed rules and regulations in relation thereto, subject to laws enacted by the Legislature.

Section 5. Creation and Powers of School Districts

    The Legislature shall provide for organization of school districts of convenient size, in each of which shall be established a school board for that district, to consist of three or more directors to be elected by the qualified voters of the district. The school board directors shall be responsible for instruction in the public schools of their respective districts.

4.  Any provision of the Stone Constitution that is relevant to an exam question will be included on the exam itself.

5.  In addition to the above material relating to state constitutions and the Stone Constitution specifically, the exam will focus on the following areas: the role of the federal government in education, the First Amendment free speech rights of students and teachers, substantive and procedural due process as applied to students and teachers, the Fourth Amendment as applied to public school students, and the Establishment Clause as applied to the public schools. The exam will not cover the material in Assignment 14 on the subject of Special Education.