Betrayed Principals.

• Author: Garza, Mariel
• Position: School lawsuits - Brief Article

The public school experience sure has changed since today's parents put in their time. Staples such as gym class, driver's ed, wood and metal shop, dances, and recess have been curtailed or eliminated at many schools. Elementary- and secondary-school principals across the nation blame liability concerns for those changes, according to a survey conducted by the American Tort Reform Association in conjunction with two school principal associations.

The survey, the results of which were released in September, was sent to 5,000 principals, and 523 responded to the four-page questionnaire. Respondents reported spending as many as 10 hours a week documenting events or attending meetings to avoid lawsuits.

Overwhelmingly, the...