McKinney-Vento Act
The McKinney-Vento, Homeless Assistance Act focuses on providing equal access to education to homeless children (Hachiya, Shoop, & Dunklee, 2014). According to this law, schools should ensure these students’ access to study materials and educational services to meet common academic standards. Schools are required to assist homeless students in their academic effort.
This regulation has considerable value as it ensures equal access to education irrespective of financial status. Children having temporary (or permanent) accommodation issues should still have an opportunity and be encouraged to obtain a high-quality education. School administrators can use the provisions of this act to allocate funds effectively.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Section 504 was enacted in 1973. This regulation ensures that no person with special needs will be excluded from equal participation in any program funded by the government based on their health condition (Jacob, Decker, & Timmerman Lugg, 2016). Regarding the educational system, this law ensures the access of people with disabilities and the provision of some services that may be needed to ensure their effective participation.
This regulation is essential as it paved the way for similar laws and guidelines that facilitate integrating people with disabilities into society. Besides, educational facilities have a framework to provide services to this population.
FERPA 1974
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) ensures postsecondary students’ right to confidentiality and privacy (Miller & Sorochty, 2014). According to this act, the data associated with the academic records of the students can be disclosed to them or the individuals who have the corresponding permission from the student. The exception to this provision is students who are financially dependent on their parents who receive access to educational records.
This regulation has a positive influence on the development of postsecondary education as students are encouraged to be more responsible. Young people enter the adult world, receiving more rights as well as responsibilities. School administrators can use the provisions of the act to prepare students for such responsibility through the introduction of a brief course on time management, confidentiality issues, and so forth.
Texas Whistleblower Act
Texas Whistleblower Act was introduced in 1989 at the federal level (Schimmel, Stellman, Fischer, & Conlon, 2014). This act protects people from disclosing information concerning violations that took place in a public organization or institution.
This law protects people who dare to draw public attention to some violation and eager to change wrongful practices. All the stakeholders, including but not confined to educators, students, and their parents, administration, officials, policymakers, benefit from this act to identify the existing gaps and address them effectively.
Coverdale Teacher Protection Act 2001
Coverdale Teacher Protection Act 2001 protects educators and ensures their right to act in accordance with existing regulations making their own decisions on the best ways to react to different situations (“The Coverdale Teacher Protection Act 2001,” 2015). At the same time, the act ensures that any violations of the existing regulations and acts will be pursued in accordance with the corresponding laws.
The act is beneficial as educators are allowed to use a variety of strategies to maintain order or a proper atmosphere in the classroom. Educators can be sure that they will not be pursued for a word that can seem too harsh to some students. This protection is important for the maintenance of respect for teachers.
Texas Public Information Act (TPIA)
Texas Public Information Act (TPIA) ensures people’s free access to records of all governmental bodies (“Texas Public Information Act,” 2018). These records include documents, agendas, procedural records, emails, posts, and so forth. The act aims at ensuring the transparency of the government at different levels.
The act is beneficial for the educational sphere as educators can take an active part in the development of and advocating for legislature aimed at improving the educational system. This is also a good instrument for ensuring officials’ proper conduct.
References
Hachiya, R., Shoop, R., & Dunklee, D. (2014). The principal’s quick-reference guide to school law: Reducing liability, litigation, and other potential legal tangles (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Jacob, S., Decker, D. M., & Timmerman Lugg, E. (2016). Ethics and law for school psychologists (7th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Miller, T. E., & Sorochty, R. W. (2014). Risk management in student affairs: Foundations for safety and success. San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons.
Schimmel, D., Stellman, L. R., Fischer, L., & Conlon, C. K. (2014). Teachers and the law (9th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson.
Texas Public Information Act. (2018). Web.
The Coverdale Teacher Protection Act. (2015). Law Wise, 5. Web.