If you feel you have been wronged by your university, you may want to consider filing a lawsuit. However, taking your school to court can be a complex and sometimes costly process. Ensuring that you follow the proper steps and procedures when suing your college will make it much more likely that you will receive …
Academic dishonesty, also known as academic misconduct, occurs when you engage in dishonest behavior involving academic activities such as teaching, learning, and research. When we think of academic dishonesty, we usually think of cheating students, but the reality is that anyone in the academic environment can be guilty of academic dishonesty. What is considered academic …
Child abuse is never acceptable, but it is particularly heinous when it occurs at the hands of a teacher or another trusted adult at school. Abuse can take many forms, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. When you suspect that your child is being abused, it’s essential to report it to an appropriate authority immediately …
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity. Under Title IX, a “three-prong” test is used to determine whether a school offers comparable athletics programs for male and female students. In other words, there are …
One of a private school’s most important duties is to ensure its students’ safety by providing a secure learning environment. Schools are responsible for protecting their students from any potential dangers they may face while enrolled there. If you are a parent of a child who has been injured on private school grounds, you may …
A contract is a legally binding agreement to take an action or provide a product or service in order to receive something else (typically money) in return. If one party does not keep up their side of the bargain, they have breached the contract. This means that when schools don’t fulfill their promises regarding education, …
While private schools are not exempted from all anti-discrimination laws, they don’t have to follow all of the same laws that a public school does. However, you can sue a private school for discrimination in some situations. The three primary factors that will determine whether you can sue for discrimination include: If the school receives …
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The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates that schools develop special education plans for all students with disabilities in order to provide them with a free, appropriate public education. These education plans, known as Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), are written documents that identify the student’s specific needs and outline a plan for ensuring the …
Before a student can be expelled from a public school, a formal expulsion hearing must be held. During an expulsion hearing, the student has the right to: Receive notice of the specific rules they are charged with breaking Explain their side of the story Present evidence and call witnesses to testify on their behalf Be …
In education law, a writ of mandate (also called a writ of mandamus) is a court order issued by a judge on the request of a petitioner that compels a public entity, such as a school district or a board of education, to perform an action that it has failed or refused to do. A …
The word “disciplinary” is often used in schools to describe various types of punishments for misbehaviors. Some examples of disciplinary actions that may be taken by a school are detention, suspension, expulsion, or sending a student to the principal’s office. The severity and duration of the disciplinary action will depend on the infraction committed by the …
Students at public colleges and universities who face the possibility of a severe punishment such as expulsion or suspension are entitled to certain legal protections before disciplinary action is taken. These rights are required by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, which says that the government (or government actors, such as public schools) …
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The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student educational records. It applies to all schools, colleges, universities, and other agencies that receive funds from the U.S. Department of Education. FERPA gives parents certain rights concerning their children’s education records – like the right to review …
Hazing is a type of initiation process that is used to welcome new members into the fraternity. Although it can vary from one organization to another, in general, there are three types of hazing: physical, mental, and emotional. These acts often take on forms such as sleep deprivation, excessive exercise, or isolation. It may also …
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), schools must develop and follow an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for children with disabilities in need of special education services. The IEP must be specifically tailored to address the individual educational needs of each child and identify the services that the school will provide to meet these …