Christopher Thomas

Assistant Professor University of Florida

Gainesville FL

Christopher Thomas studies educational policy and law, including issues related to democracy, student, teacher, and parental rights.

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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

Education Law

Education Policy

Media Appearances

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."

Social

Articles

Connecting the Courtroom to the Classroom: How Educators Can Claim Their Agency through Legal Literacy

AASA Journal of Scholarship and Practice

Christopher 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 Reporter

Diane 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.