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  #1  
Old 04-23-2009, 05:53 PM
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Public school responsiblities?

Location- New Jersey, USA

I attend a public High School in the state of New Jersey. In my English class, our teacher has decided for us to do "Group Readings". Basically, she handed out a list of books for us to choose from to read in our groups. What my question is it illegal to force a student to purchase his/her book for a in-class reading in a public school? Shouldn't these books be supplied for if the teacher wanted to assign this in class reading? There was nothing to sign that stated that we agreed that we will go out and purchase or take out these books from a library. Is this not what my parents (living in the state of NJ) are paying taxes for? Another issue is that my teacher is giving me 0s (a grade that brings down your final grade) for everyday that i do not have this book. I have tried going to two local libraries so far to obtain the book that i have chose and both said that they were all taken out. Is this right that my teacher is doing this, or is it illegal? I would appreciate it greatly if you combined a source that states that this is illegal (which law possibly) with your answer.

Thank you very much for your time,
Dillon

LINKBACK URL- [url]http://forum.freeadvice.com/education-law-47/public-school-responsiblities-465178.html[/url]
Last edited by NoSkills; 04-23-2009 at 05:57 PM.
  #2  
Old 04-23-2009, 05:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NoSkills View Post
Location- New Jersey, USA

I attend a public High School in the state of New Jersey. In my English class, our teacher has decided for us to do "Group Readings". Basically, she handed out a list of books for us to choose from to read in our groups. What my question is it illegal to force a student to purchase his/her book for a in-class reading in a public school? Shouldn't these books be supplied for if the teacher wanted to assign this in class reading? There was nothing to sign that stated that we agreed that we will go out and purchase or take out these books from a library. Is this not what my parents (living in the state of NJ) are paying taxes for? Another issue is that my teacher is giving me 0s (a grade that brings down your final grade) for everyday that i do not have this book. I have tried going to two local libraries so far to obtain the book that i have chose and both said that they were all taken out. Is this right that my teacher is doing this, or is it illegal? I would appreciate it greatly if you combined a source that states that this is illegal (which law possibly) with your answer.

Thank you very much for your time,
Dillon

LINKBACK URL- [url]http://forum.freeadvice.com/education-law-47/public-school-responsiblities-465178.html[/url]
**A: why can't the book be borrowed from a library?
  #3  
Old 04-23-2009, 05:58 PM
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Originally Posted by HomeGuru View Post
**A: why can't the book be borrowed from a library?
I have tried going to two local libraries so far to obtain the book that i have chose and both said that they were all taken out.
  #4  
Old 04-23-2009, 06:02 PM
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Originally Posted by NoSkills View Post
I have tried going to two local libraries so far to obtain the book that i have chose and both said that they were all taken out.
**A: all of the books on the list are "taken out" from all libraries in your county?
  #5  
Old 04-23-2009, 06:44 PM
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Originally Posted by HomeGuru View Post
**A: all of the books on the list are "taken out" from all libraries in your county?
No, just locally. I need to know if this is legal or not, can you answer that?
  #6  
Old 04-23-2009, 06:51 PM
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Originally Posted by NoSkills View Post
No, just locally. I need to know if this is legal or not, can you answer that?
I don't see that you are required to purchase it. So, the legality of it doesn't come in to play.
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  #7  
Old 04-23-2009, 10:57 PM
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Unless you can find a specific law in your state that specifically says, "A student in a public school cannot be required to purchase a book for class" then it is legal.

And I'll bet the good people of New Jersey would just LOVE to have their taxes raised so that you won't have to part with the cost of a book.
  #8  
Old 04-24-2009, 11:04 AM
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Dillon - the libraries have this really, really cool system set up called ILL (Inter Library Loan). You go to your library, request a book, and they get it from any affiliated library that has it. Delivered to them. For you to pick up. It's AMAZING!

Here's something else! You got a LIST to choose from. You can't find the ONE you want to read? You pick another. I know, it's a shocking concept.

If you feel the need to buy it (my son does - he likes to mark passages and quotes he finds interesting or worthy of further thought), I'd bet those books are all in paperback and run < $10. If NO library can get ANY of those books, and you are seriously financially stretched to the point of being unable to buy a copy... talk to your teacher. She may be able to procure one.

And yes, I am in NJ. With two HS students. Who get these reading assignments. We find a way to get the books. Even with our limited means. Get over it. You have no legal issue.
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  #9  
Old 04-24-2009, 11:30 AM
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Originally Posted by stealth2 View Post
Dillon - the libraries have this really, really cool system set up called ILL (Inter Library Loan). You go to your library, request a book, and they get it from any affiliated library that has it. Delivered to them. For you to pick up. It's AMAZING!

Here's something else! You got a LIST to choose from. You can't find the ONE you want to read? You pick another. I know, it's a shocking concept.

If you feel the need to buy it (my son does - he likes to mark passages and quotes he finds interesting or worthy of further thought), I'd bet those books are all in paperback and run < $10. If NO library can get ANY of those books, and you are seriously financially stretched to the point of being unable to buy a copy... talk to your teacher. She may be able to procure one.

And yes, I am in NJ. With two HS students. Who get these reading assignments. We find a way to get the books. Even with our limited means. Get over it. You have no legal issue.
*Vigorously nodding* Seconded!

Plus another handy-dandy tip we used when my skids were in school: used book stores.

Oooh! Another tip: I see you have the internet. Amazon.com. Bazillions of books, cheap.


And because I cannot possibly resist:
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  #10  
Old 04-24-2009, 01:52 PM
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And guess what! When/if you go to college, you are responsible for buying all the books used in all the classes.


(for SP)
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  #11  
Old 04-24-2009, 01:57 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheGeekess View Post
And guess what! When/if you go to college, you are responsible for buying all the books used in all the classes.


(for SP)
I want one too!



There, I just stol...err...borrowed one of SP's!
__________________
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*
The information I gave is based on my 7 seconds of research on Google. Review the information yourself to make an informed decision.

Communication is KEY - 10 mins of talking now can save you months of headaches later!

Masterfully stating the obvious to the oblivious! (Thanks SP!)

Tell it like it is! When all else fails, make up a statistic!

Gender references shall apply equally to the other gender. I will not correct gender mistakes (unless I want to)
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