lawprofessors

By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 Do you or a family member attend one of the many California community colleges ?  Have you ever wondered what data the college is gathering on you? Or, have you had "issues" and want to see what is in your records?  Or,maybe you just wish to see what your records state prior to applying to transfer? You are in luck, as thanks to our legislature, obtaining your records from California community colleges is fast, relatively speaking. Federal law ( Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, aka FERPA ) provides students the right to review their records within 45 days of a request.  This applies to many colleges, but in California, state law extends students' records rights beyond federal law.   California Education Code  �76230 provides students the right to inspect and review their records within 15 working days of a request. This is roughly a 24-27 day difference (or more depending...

By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 Do you remember entering high school and the wild rumors that preceded it? Of groups of high schoolers who would submit all freshman to hazing: humiliating them and torturing them if they were caught alone?  I do.  I was in fear probably through the last half of my eighth grade year, and of course the first week in high school.  Luckily, the rumored "hazing" never happened, but what if it did? Would I have told?  Not likely.  What if I joined some team and was put through strange rituals involving eating disgusting items, having clothing items removed, sitting for long periods tied to a chair or locked in a closet.  What then?  Nothing unless the school found out and then all hell would break loose. Education Code �48900(q) provides California schools with the authority to suspend or expel students who haze other students.  If a student "engaged in, or attempted to engage in, ...

By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 When parents are faced with issues at school involving their child's education, such as a lack of school progress or repeated behavioral problems in the classroom, the school may suggest a special education evaluation.  Is this something that should be pursued?  What are the good and bad things to consider in deciding if you should allow your child to be evaluated for special education? With anything in life, there are costs (and benefits).  There are costs for taking a day off, costs for driving one way versus another, and costs for all decisions we make, big or small.  Our decisions add up over time, and choosing to pursue special education for a child is a big decision with many ramifications that may affect that child long into adulthood.   It would be difficult to list all costs and benefits of special education in a single document, but here are just some to consider when deciding whet...