Education Law

Now, I will not attempt to predict either the Republican or Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate.  However, as you know, each Wednesday I try to highlight a different politician’s views on education.  So, for the next few Wednesdays I will be focusing on potential vice presidential picks.

The first in this series will be Sarah Palin, the Republican governor of Alaska.  Governor Palin supports adequately funding public schools.  She also believes in holding schools accountable.  As a candidate for governor, Ms. Palin supported school choice and expanding vocational opportunities.  She is in favor of quality preschool programs for students who truly need such programs.  She also favors increased parental involvement in education.  Some of her views can be found here.  Be sure to look at McCain’s views on education to see how the two would compliment each other as running mates.

Also, no post about Sarah Palin and her views on educatin would be complete without mentioninggthat she is mother to five children.  Her youngest child was born in April with Downs Syndrome.

I’m often asked this question and, most often, people want to know if a noncustodial parent can access their child’s student record. As is often the case, my answer is that it depends.

The Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act is the federal law that governs access to student records. It allows parents and certain other parties to view student records.  In addition, many states have regulations governing the confidentiality of student records.  Massachusetts, for example, will allow a noncustodial parent to access a student’s record so long as there is not a court order stating otherwise and as long as that parent’s rights have not been terminated. 

If you have a compelling reason to prevent a noncustodial parent from viewing your child’s educational record then the best thing that you can do is to make that crystal clear for the school district.  Make sure that the court specifically includes your request in its written decision and provide a copy of that to your child’s principal. Ask that a note be placed at the beginning of your child’s record so that no mistakes are made.  School administrators, teachers and secretaries have many students to keep track of and if your child’s situation requires special attention then it in everyone’s best interest that safeguards are put in place so that no mistakes are made.

Yesterday, the House passed a bill authorizing 20 billion dollars to be spent over the next 5 years to help schools “go green” and become more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. The 21st Century Green High-Performing Public Schools Act would modernize school facilities, promote teacher and student health and be more energy efficient. Renovating school buildings to become more energy efficient could also provide important lessons for students about the importance of protecting the environment.

Democrats argue that the bill will reduce illnesses such as asthma and be environmentally beneficial. Some Democratic supporters state that the bill will reduce energy use in school by 35%, carbon monoxide emissions by 40% and water consumption by 30%.

Republicans, including President Bush, see the bill as a federal intrusion into education.  President Bush has threatened to veto the bill if it passes the Senate.

Schools would phase in the requirements and be required to use 90% of the funds associated with this bill for the stated purpose by 2013.

What do you think about this bill? Please leave a comment and let me know! I’m interested in hearing your thoughts.

Last week I highlighted John McCain’s views on education. Now, in light of Barach Obama’s presumptive nomination, it is time to look at his stand on education.

Mr. Obama has a Zero to Five plan to provide support to young children and their parents. He is in favor of expanding Early Head Start and Head Start programs.

For the K -12 students, Mr. Obama supports funding the No Child Left Behind Law and revising the assessment process. He does not believe that teachers should be spending the school year teaching for a test. Mr. Obama states that he will make math and science a national priority and that he will address the drop out crisis. After school programs and summer learning opportunities are also part of his plan to close the learning gap.

Another key element of Obama’s plan is to help train, recruit and reward teachers through scholarships and other initiatives.

More information about Obama’s plans can be found on his website.

State Departments of Education often have model curriculum frameworks and required learning hours for students in core areas. Physical education is no exception.

Right or wrong,in hard economic times, like much of the country, is currently experiencing, things such as art, music and physical education are reduced in the schools so that the schools can hire enough staff for core subjects.

In Florida this week, Governor Charlie Crist has signed a bill requiring Florida elementary schools to provide 30 minutes of continuous physical exercise a day for their students. It also requires middle schools to offer daily physical education to students beginning in the 2009-2010 school year.

It is a worthwhile goal but will the schools have the money to carry out the new requirements and, if they do, will it be at the expense of other programs?