Christopher Thomas
Assistant Professor | University of Florida
Gainesville, FL, UNITED STATES
Christopher Thomas studies educational policy and law, including issues related to democracy, student, teacher, and parental rights.
Biography
Christopher Thomas is an assistant professor of educational leadership and policy at the College of Education. Before joining UF, Dr. Thomas was a practicing attorney where he primarily practiced school law, representing the legal interests of public school districts. In addition to his legal practice, Thomas has a breadth of experience in education and the law including teaching high school English, interning with the U.S. Department of Education, and serving as a judicial extern for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. His research focuses on the intersection of education law, policy, and practice, with special attention to issues of democratic governance and participation.
Areas of Expertise (2)
Education Law
Education Policy
Media Appearances (3)
Alachua County teachers rally for increased salaries
The Alligator print
2024-10-01
Lynda Harris, a 40-year-old Gainesville resident, works seasonal jobs for many reasons. If she needs clothes, she works in clothing retail. If she wants house furnishings, she works at craft stores, she said.
Why hundreds of schools in the U.S. are taking social media companies to court
CBC Listen radio
2024-04-02
Four school boards in Ontario are taking large social media companies to court for allegedly creating products that harm children. We'll talk to University of Florida professor Chris Thomas about the similar lawsuit hundred of schools in the U.S. have launched against those companies.
OCDSB's lawsuit against social media giants could lead to stronger regulations, experts say
CBC online
2024-03-29
As Ottawa's largest school board joins a group of other Ontario boards in taking social media giants to court, education experts say the move may lead to stronger regulations to address a growing "youth mental health crisis."
Articles (2)
Connecting the Courtroom to the Classroom: How Educators Can Claim Their Agency through Legal Literacy
AASA Journal of Scholarship and PracticeChristopher D. Thomas, et. al
2024-08-01
Teachers and administrators must regularly navigate a host of complex issues influenced by everchanging laws and often ambiguous legal guidance. Recent trends in legislation aimed at restricting curricula and educators’ actions have only complicated educators’ efforts to do what they feel is in children's best interests.
Predictors of Timeliness of IDEA Due Process Hearing Decisions With and Without New York
Education Law ReporterDiane Holben, et. al
2024-03-28
This study examines the factors influencing the timeliness of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) due process hearing (DPH) decisions, focusing on the impact of procedural variables and state-specific contexts.
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