Explore Education Law & Policy

What is Education Law?

Education law is a specific branch of law relating to the legal rights and obligations of all parties involved in the educational process. This education policy branch supports the rights of students, parents, teachers, administrators, and other educational stakeholders. Education laws cover various topics, including the right to education, special education, discrimination, and educational reform.

The United States Department of Education oversees the United States public school system and guarantees every student the right to receive a free and appropriate public education. Beyond this, each state has its own educational policies and systems. These education policies determine curriculum standards, compliance procedures, funding, and testing.

A common issue often addressed in educational law is special education. Special education is a type of education for students with special needs. Special needs might mean that the student learns differently, has an intellectual disability, or experiences an emotional or behavioral disorder. There are specific processes and laws that school districts must follow to ensure that these students are not discriminated against and receive an appropriate education.

Lawyers practicing in education law may tackle issues of education reform. Education reform refers to laws or policy changes passed to improve education. These are broader reform efforts like the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001 designed to move educational progress forward. Title IX is another example of education reform passed to provide equal education rights to students of all genders.

Many complex issues addressed in the field of education law affect a large proportion of the United States population. Students, parents, prospective teachers, and other educators can benefit from studying educational law. Explore what Study.com offers on the topic below.