Law 282 - Education and the Law (Prof. Biegel)

An examination of recent high profile, education-related disputes at both the K-12 and higher ed levels. Topics to be explored include campus safety and privacy, student freedom of expression, technology-related issues and concerns, religion in the schools, and curriculum controversies implicating contested values. Access to a quality education will be examined by analyzing disputes arising at every stage of the education process, from issues regarding practices that may engender a “school-to-prison pipeline” to the ongoing legal battles regarding race conscious policies, the unmet needs of English language learners, the misuse of the special education system, and prospects for restructuring or abandoning the U.S. “No Child Left Behind” Act.

In addition, the course will explore the future of impact litigation and court-mandated education reform, examining the recent experience of the San Francisco public schools under the controversial and wide-ranging federal consent decree monitored by Prof. Biegel for the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California.

LAW 282 FIELD COMPONENT - Students will also have the option of signing up for an additional 1-2 units in order that they might examine how many of these procedural and substantive issues play out in a real-life setting. Those who select this option will have the opportunity to meet with education professionals, visit local educational institutions, and analyze both the effectiveness of recent strategies for change and the implications for attorneys practicing in this area and prospective plaintiffs contemplating legal action down the road. Completion of the 2-unit version of this option will satisfy the law school writing requirement.

Click here to see the Law 282 Field Component memo for further details.