Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Laws Where Your Child Can Go To School

Parents often wonder how they can get students into a better school or school district.


Regular school attendance is vital to the future of a child and is meant to provide access to education, the development of social skills and extra-curricular activities. Federal and state laws help dictate where your child can go to school and how you provide education to your child, as well as what services are available. The government also regulates school attendance and requires that children be enrolled in school.


Special Education


The Supreme Court requires that children with disabilities be given equal access to educational programs. The act requires schools to use funding to provide access for children with mental and physical disabilities. The laws govern how states and agencies provide intervention services, special education programs, and other services to those with disabilities up to 18 years of age. Following the law, schools must create an individualized education program to describe present performance levels, how disabilities affect academic performance, and what accommodations and modifications can be provided for the student. Schools may provide additional services, such as physical therapy, audiology, and other programs for students.


Home-Schooling


Home-schooling has become an option for many families in the United States. Home-schooling has become legal in each of the fifty states; however it does require a significant time commitment from the family. Most states require that parents register their decision to home-school with the state's department of education and the local school district board. State law also requires evaluation of a student's progress, which is normally required on an annual basis. Some laws allow students to attend classes at public schools or even participate in sports or extra-curricular activities. As an alternative to home-schooling, some states also allow families to choose an online school in place of learning in a traditional school environment.


School District Boundaries


The Department of Education in each state develops policies about the jurisdiction of a school district and determines the boundaries of the school district. States allocate the financial resources among the school districts, and administrators are supposed to follow the law when maintaining the boundaries of the school district. A student's family must live within the school-district boundaries in order for the student to attend the school. If the student's family provides false information about the student's address, the family may be fined or brought to court.


Compulsory Education


In the United States, the government regulates compulsory education and imposes fines on parents who do not send their children to school. In some cases, children may be taken away from parents or legal guardians if the parents have not given them a proper education. The age range for compulsory education varies by state, with some states requiring attendance through age 17, while others allow youth older than 14 to leave school with parental permission.

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