What is education law?

Education law is the portion of the law in a state, country or city that specifically governs educational bodies such as public and private schools and universities. Various education laws cover every aspect of education and school systems.

Understanding Education Law

Education law deals with the sources of funding that school organizations use to acquire resources, as well as the requirements teachers and other faculty and staff must meet to be certified, trained, hired, retained, and fired. If there are questions about who can partake of the educational facilities, these are also answered through education law. For example, determining who is considered a resident or a non-resident of a school district or state for purposes of enrollment in an educational facility.

Education Law and Discrimination

Education law also covers discrimination in the field of education, whether in the hiring process or in the process of educating students. One example of how education law impacts individuals is the ruling that disabled individuals cannot be discriminated against in the educational process, and must be given all reasonable accommodations necessary to allow them to learn the same subjects in the same facilities as students who are not disabled. Education law handles issues involving teachers’ unions and the segregation of students. These education laws are generally followed and enforced by state and local Departments of Education.

Enforcement of Education Law

Both the federal government and the individual states in the United States make and enforce education laws. For example, No Child Left Behind is a federal act that sets minimum standards for students and school districts. States also set their own requirements and institute tests to ensure compliance. If you have concerns about your school district or about your rights or the rights of your child, it is in your best interest to consult an attorney who specializes in education law.