Introduction
Laws and policies in American education have been essential over time. Establishing the laws and policies intended to improve the educational standards and address the previously identified issues in the education system. Various issues identified include equality in education, quality education, and the financial support from the government to multiple schools. The connection between law, policies, and education explicitly explains the laws’ influence on improving American education over time. As such, the policies and laws have significantly improved the educational context, and the results indicate that with more reformation of the existing laws and policies, education will achieve the best outcome. Therefore, this paper will analyze the laws and policies in American education and how they impact educators.
The Intersection Between Law and Education in the United States
The complex terrain for educators is the connection between law and education. The law in education ensures compliance with federal and state regulations that can address the issues on education matters together with upholding the rights of students and teachers. According to Austin (2023), understanding these laws is essential in the education system as they enhance the creation of safe, inclusive, and equitable learning environments for all students. The regulations set the framework for various operations in education. These operations involve fairness in education, equality, and protection for all the involved individuals. Also, the rules set the curriculum standards, the rights of students, and the teachers’ qualifications in the teaching environment.
The connection between the law and education is based on how the laws influence education. Education and laws are connected as schools rely on government laws (Natow, 2017). All the schools are governed by the set laws that control all the learning institution’s activities. Firstly, laws create a nurturing and inclusive environment focusing on school content delivery. Laws promote the curriculum standards each school must achieve within the specified time (Palestini & Palestini, 2012). The curriculum standards involve teaching materials, such as books and other instructional resources. These learning materials are chosen based on the content standards set by the laws. Further, the laws promote fairness, equality, and quality education in all American schools, providing valuable guidelines that can streamline learning in American schools.
How PK-12 Concentration Students (Every Student Succeeds Act) and Higher Education Concentration Students (Higher Education Opportunity Act) Impacts My Day Practice
Every Student Succeeds Act is a federal K-12 education law in the United States that requires every state to measure learners’ reading, math, and science performance. The law ensures that students’ learning progress is assessed and parents are informed of their standards and results (Office of Elementary and Secondary Education n.d). Besides, ESSA advocates for transparency and the flow of information from the teacher to the parents, which can help them make choices for their children. The provisions in the ESSA greatly influence my career as an educator because I can measure the student’s performance throughout the learning process. Most schools require the use of materials that can provide the students with high-quality education. Therefore, from this standpoint, I am tasked to find relevant materials to improve the students’ learning process after assessment. I can determine the students’ key weaknesses and change the teaching methods to ensure they can achieve the results. Besides, I can engage in research on effective ways to deliver content that can improve the learning process. According to the National Education Association (2020), ESSA will ensure that each student has equal access to quality education regardless of location. As an educator, I can offer education to all students without favor and help to accommodate diverse learners and control them effectively.
Also, the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 advocates increased resources in educational facilities, both colleges and universities, to help students in postsecondary education (U.S. Department of Education, n.d). The law advocated for financial aid for students with disabilities that could boost their educational progress in colleges and universities. In addition, the regulation increases the expansion, creation, and evaluation of the model programs called postsecondary programs for students with Intellectual Disabilities. HEOA has dramatically impacted my day-to-day practice as an educator in understanding the needs and abilities of students with disabilities. Providing the necessary support to children with disabilities can increase their chances of performing at their best level. The law has helped me to understand the need for equal opportunity for all students regardless of their physical disabilities because they can achieve the best. Also, handling students with disability can be a challenge; it is necessary to learn different ways and research the materials that best suit the learning process of people with disabilities. I am influenced to consistently engage in continuous research to increase my knowledge and understanding of different ways of handling students with disabilities to achieve the best during their learning process. Understanding these students increases good relationships and, therefore, can increase sharing, which will help to help them seek clarifications and consult on educational matters.
School Site, District, Or Campus-Based Protocols Or Administrative Leadership Are Required To Comply With The Policy
Administrative leadership is concerned with mobilizing people and orchestrating tasks. Administrative leadership is required to promote law or policy in education. Applying administrative leadership is essential as it creates strategic plans that help the institutions achieve the set goals. Also, enhances assigning responsibilities for each educator and relevant stakeholders to achieve the goals. To comply with the policy, leadership can push for coordination and processes that help the system to operate effectively. In this regard, different leadership styles are required to enhance the implementation of the policy within the schools and, therefore, can help the system align with the set laws.
Impact of Own Knowledge of the Educational Law in day to day practice
Educational laws encompass quality education and the interrelationship between teachers’ and students’ behavior. In learning, students need to express a reputable behavior. Based on my understanding of the law, I closely consult with other educators to improve the content delivery that can achieve quality education. Besides, creating a working relationship between teachers from different positions is essential because we can share and help the students earn better grades. Learning is a collective responsibility that involves educators, students, parents, and government. To achieve the best results in the learning organization, there is a need for collaboration between the bodies to deliver the content in the schools effectively. In this regard, I learn from my fellow educators and am dedicated to conducting research that can help me find the methods to deliver to the students.
Challenges to Effective Implementation of Law or Policy
Challenges to implementing the policy are sometimes regarded as the implementation barrier. The challenges can arise from opposition from the key stakeholders, lack of enough human and financial resources, and the need for clarity or communication on the goals of the policies. With many of the challenges facing the law’s implementation, it is challenging to implement it effectively without clarity or communication of the policy goals. Sometimes, policies are implemented without proper communication that can help to specify the ends. Policies should be formulated while considering the actual goals of the policy that can help the stakeholders understand their purpose within the organization. Lack of communication can lead to opposition as educators do not understand the purpose of the law. Also, the process involving the implementation of a policy is extended. The whole process requires professionals who can enhance the exercise. Human and financial resources are needed to facilitate the process effectively. Sometimes, the resources required can be too much that the organization may not meet. Therefore, it will eventually affect the effective implementation of the policy.
Conclusion
Policies or laws are essential not only in education but also in all institutions. Laws bring order and provide guidelines for various processes and activities. Education is one of the critical factors in the development of the economy and the country. American education has undergone various reformations and the presence of laws pushing for quality and equal education in American schools. Policies are formed, assessed, and implemented; the process requires using the necessary materials and resources to avoid challenges that may hinder implementation. The whole process requires collaboration between leaders and stakeholders to ensure education can achieve greater heights.
References
National Education Association (2020). Why the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Matters. https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/tools-tips/why-every-student-succeeds-act-essa-matters
Natow, R. S. (2017). Higher Education Rulemaking: The Politics of Creating Regulatory Policy. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.
Office of Elementary & Secondary Education (n.d). What is the Every Student Succeeds Act? https://oese.ed.gov/families/essa/
Palestini, R. H., & Palestini, K. F. (2012). Law and American Education: A Case Brief Approach (Vol. 3rd ed). Lanham, Md: R&L Education.
U.S. Department of Education. Every Student Succeeds Act. Retrieved from https://www.ed.gov/essa?src=policy
U.S. Department of Education. Higher Education Opportunity Act. Retrieved from https://www2.ed.gov/policy/highered/leg/hea08/index.html
Yeban, J. (2023). National School Curriculum Standards. https://www.findlaw.com/education/curriculum-standards-school-funding/national-school-curriculum-standards.html
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