What is Education Law?
The Preface to the SAGE Encyclopedia of Education Law says that education law "consists of the statutes and cases pertaining to educational institutions and the personnel associated with these institutions." It goes on to define statutes and cases. "Statutes are defined broadly as including not only legislative enactments but also constitutions, treaties, ordinances, court rules, and administrative regulations." The term "cases" includes the "decisions of the courts, opinions of attorney generals, and rulings of administrative agencies ..." Look under the Reader's Guide and the Front Matter tabs for some basic discussions of what education and school law are all about.
The WEX Legal Encyclopedia, a project of the Legal Information Institute of the Cornell University Law School, provides this extensive discussion of education law and the legal practice areas that comprise education law.
Education Law at Piedmont University
Education graduate students will concentrate on the body of laws and regulations concerning education in these courses.
EDEL 7730 School Law
Education, particularly public education, is a reflection of today's society. Complex legal issues confront students and teachers in the public education classrooms of our nation. This course provides educators with an overview of legal doctrines applicable to the school setting including those dealing with truancy curriculum, due process rights of all students and teachers, freedom of speech, expression, and all religions, student publications, search and seizure, student discipline, sexual harassment and discrimination, student records, student testing, terms and conditions of teacher employment and other constitutional rights of teachers. Attention will be given to multicultural legal issues in education when appropriate. Particular attention will be given to those contemporary laws that influence the teaching-learning process, as well as the laws governing and protecting the rights of all students from varied backgrounds and all teachers in public schools. Through classroom and field based activities the candidate will have the opportunity to increase his/her awareness of legal perspectives and to have the opportunity to reflect upon them in the context of the classroom. The use of technology in researching and presenting content on the part of the candidate is an integral part of the course.
SPED 7705 Policies and Legal Issues in Special Education
This course will highlight the history and current status of litigation and school law which serves as the foundation for Special Education. The purpose of this course is to teach educators about laws and policies that affect educating students with disabilities. There will be 15 hours of directed field experiences embedded for this course.
EDS 8860 Principles of Law, Policy, and Ethics
This course explores legal and ethical issues that arise in schools. It provides school leaders with the knowledge necessary to understand and prevent legal problems and helps school leaders reflect on questions of educational policy and ethics. Candidates should gain an understanding of legal principles and interpretations of constitutional statutory laws. There is a focus on the school-based decision-making process at the local school level.
EDD 8862 Educational Law, Ethics, and Policy
This course promotes understanding of constitutional, statutory, and judicial provisions as a basis for the legal operation of public schools. It addresses traditional and emerging issues of school case law and litigation as they pertain to school/student safety; student/teacher relationships; instructional issues; administrative authority/oversight; taxation; religious practices; and other relevant issues. A graduate of this course should be confident in planning for and responding to legal and ethical issues in the educational environment and confident in his/her abilities to deal confidently, effectively, and appropriately with legal issues.
