Overview
School laws in Texas are complex and difficult to navigate for many school administrators looking to ensure compliance with local and state regulations.
The Texas Education Agency administers laws and ensures that each school is following them closely. Schools often require the assistance of local attorneys to ensure that they are following the laws, or represent them in the case that one or more laws were violated.
What Is Considered School Law?
Working to ensure that all laws and regulations are being satisfied can be complicated, as there are multiple legal categories within the education system.
Examples of school law categories include:
- Equity and discrimination
- Employment
- Student rights and discipline issues
- Athletics
- Curriculum
- Safety
- Religion
- Technology
Each of these categories has a specific set of laws and regulations to accompany them. It can be difficult to maintain good legal standing in each of these categories as the laws and expectations change frequently. Enlisting the expertise of an attorney with an advanced skill set in this area of law can help schools get on a track to compliance with all necessary laws and regulations.
School Law in Texas Explained
There are two types of laws that school systems must be conscious of: federal and state.
Federal regulations primarily include:
- Special Education needs
- The No Child Left Behind
- And Elementary and Secondary Education Act
The latter was renamed in 2001 but some districts still refer to No Child Left Behind by its original name. Special Education in Texas is subject to very specific regulations that must be followed in order to remain in good standing.
Various components dictate the law surrounding special education including:
- The Individuals with Disabilities Act
- The State Board of Education
- Commissioner's rules and state laws
In addition, the No Child Left Behind regulation aims to close the gap between groups of students who are traditionally separated by academic performance. This is done by increasing accountability, flexibility, and choice.
State Laws & Rules
Rules from organizations and governing bodies like the State Board of Education and the Texas Administrative Code give specific information about rulemaking and implementation. It is critical that Texas schools follow the rules and regulations closely to avoid legal issues.
How Our Firm Can Help
There are several resources available to help schools stay on track, but working with an experienced and knowledgeable attorney is the best way to ensure that schools are following the laws accurately.
