Education law

The area of law and legislation that concerns education policies and the people working in the sector in an (inter)national context, such as teachers, students, and administrators.

the law of education
education regulation
education legislation
education laws
education norms

knowledge

cross-sector

Education law is an essential knowledge of the following occupations:

Head of higher education institutions: Heads of higher education institutions manage the day-to-day activities of a higher education institution, such as a college or vocational school. Heads of higher education institutions make decisions concerning admissions and are responsible for meeting curriculum standards, which facilitate academic development for the students. They manage staff, the school’s budget, campus programmes and oversee the communication between departments. They also ensure the institution meets the national education requirements set by law.
Special educational needs head teacher: Special educational needs head teachers manage the day-to-day activities of a special education school. They supervise and support staff, as well as research and introduce programs that provide the necessary assistance for students with physical, mental or learning disabilities. They may make decisions concerning admissions, are responsible for meeting curriculum standards and ensure the school meets the national education requirements set by law. Special educational needs head teachers also manage the school’s budget and are responsible for maximising the reception of subsidies and grants. They also review and adopt their policies in accordance to current research conducted in the special needs assessment field.
Deputy head teacher: Deputy head teachers support the management duties of their school’s principals and are part of the school’s administrative staff. They update the head teacher on the daily operations and developments of the school. They implement and follow up on school guidelines, policies and curriculum activities introduced by the specific head teacher. They enforce school board protocol, supervise students and maintain discipline.
Further education principal: Further education principals manage the day-to-day activities of a post-secondary education institute, such as technical institutes and other post-secondary schools. Further education principals make decisions concerning admissions and are responsible for meeting curriculum standards, which facilitate academic development for the students. They manage staff, the school’s budget and programmes and oversee the communication between departments. They also ensure the school meets the national education requirements set by law.
Secondary school head teacher: Secondary school head teachers are responsible for meeting curriculum standards, which facilitate academic development for the students. They manage staff, working closely with the different department heads, and evaluate the subject teachers in a timely manner in order to secure optimal class performance. They also ensure the school meets the national education requirements set by law and cooperate with local communities and governments. They may also work in vocational schools.
Education studies lecturer: Education studies lecturers are professors, teachers, or lecturers who instruct students who have obtained an upper secondary education diploma in their own specialised field of study, education studies, so they can become teachers themselves. They work with their university research assistants and university teaching assistants for the preparation of lectures and of exams, grading papers and exams and leading review and feedback sessions for the students.
Academic advisor: Academic advisors assist students, at post-secondary level, in recognising and achieving their educational goals. They advise students on their schedule selection of school programmes, communicate to them degree requirements, and assist them in career planning. Academic advisors also discuss the student’s academic performance and its implications and make suggestions for improvement including study advice. They also work closely with other university administrators and professors and ensure they are up to date on university or college regulation, program, or requirement changes.
Nursery school head teacher: Nursery school head teachers manage the day-to-day activities of a kindergarten or nursery school. They manage staff, make decisions concerning admissions and are responsible for meeting curriculum standards, which are age-appropriate for kindergarten students and facilitate social and behavioural development education. They also ensure the school meets the national education requirements set by law.
Primary school head teacher: Primary school head teachers manage the day-to-day activities of a primary school or elementary school. They manage staff, make decisions concerning admissions and are responsible for meeting curriculum standards, which are age-appropriate for primary school students and facilitate social and academic development education. They also ensure the school meets the national education requirements set by law.
Headteacher: Headteachers manage the day-to-day activities of an educational institution. They make decisions concerning admissions and are responsible for meeting curriculum standards, which facilitate academic development for the students. They manage staff, working closely with the different department heads, and evaluate the subject teachers in a timely manner in order to secure optimal class performance. They also ensure the school meets the national education requirements set by law and cooperate with local communities and governments.
Education policy officer: Education policy officers research, analyse and develop education policies, and implement these policies to improve the existing education system. They try to improve all aspects of education which will impact institutions such as schools, universities and vocational schools. They work closely with partners, external organisations or other stakeholders and provide them with regular updates.

Education law is optional for these occupations. This means knowing this knowledge may be an asset for career advancement if you are in one of these occupations.

Education welfare officer: Education welfare officers address the social and psychological well-being of students. They counsel students concerning their personal issues that affect their school behaviour, performance and social life. These issues may range from attention deficit problems, to social and personal issues such as poverty or domestic and sexual abuse. Education welfare officers also handle the communication between the students, the parents and the school.
Educational counsellor: Educational counsellors provide practical and emotional support to students in a educational institution, either in small groups, classrooms, or individually. They function as an accessible school official whom students may contact for a wide variety of issues. Educational counsellors may provide advice on personal problems such as social integration and behavioural issues, and on school-related matters such as composing adequate curriculum schedules, discussing test scores, and informing students on further education options. They may work closely with a school social worker and/or school psychologist and make referrals to other support services if necessary.
Academic support officer: Academic support officers provide assistance to students with learning problems and act as the main point of contact for these students. They make sure extra tuition and educational programmes are provided to under-represented students with academic or personal issues. They also organise several social activities throughout the academic year.
Learning mentor: Learning mentors support underperforming students both inside and outside of the classroom in order to increase their academic success. They assist students experiencing (multiple) disadvantages, such as learning difficulties, behavioural issues, and attendance problems, and also assist gifted students who are under-challenged. They may also work with adult students in the further education system. Learning mentors develop schedules and action plans with the students in order to plan the necessary mentoring activities and monitor progress. They also liaise with the students’ teachers, educational psychologists, school social workers and, if necessary, with the student’s parents, in order to improve the student’s educational development.
Social worker: Social workers are practice-based professionals who promote social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. They interact with individuals, families, groups, organisations and communities in order to provide various forms of therapy and counselling, group work, and community work. Social workers guide people to use services to claim benefits, access community resources, find jobs and training, obtain legal advice or deal with other local authority departments.
Educational psychologist: Educational psychologists are psychologists employed by educational institutions to provide psychological and emotional support to students in need. They are specialised in the provision of direct support and interventions to students, conducting psychological testing and assessment, and consulting with families, teachers and other school-based student support professionals, such as school social workers and educational counsellors, about the students. They may also work with the school administration to improve practical support strategies in order to improve the students’ well-being.
Secretary:
Secretaries perform a variety of administrative tasks to help keep an organisation run smoothly. They answer telephone calls, draft and send e-mails, maintain diaries, arrange appointments, take messages, file documents, organise and service meetings, and manage databases.
Career guidance advisor: Career guidance advisors provide guidance and advice to adults and students on making educational, training and occupational choices and assist people in managing their careers, through career planning and career exploration. They help identify options for future careers, assist beneficiaries in the development of their curriculum and help people reflect on their ambitions, interests and qualifications. Career guidance advisors may provide advice on various career planning issues and make suggestions for lifelong learning if necessary, including study recommendations. They may also assist the individual in the search for a job.
Legal policy officer: Legal affairs policy officers research, analyse and develop policies related to the legal sector and implement these policies to improve the existing regulation around the sector. They work closely with partners, external organisations or other stakeholders and provide them with regular updates.
Special educational needs itinerant teacher: Special educational needs itinerant teachers instruct disabled or sick children in their homes. They are specialised teachers employed by (public) schools to teach those unable to physically attend school, but also to assist the student, the parents and the school in their communication. They also fulfil the function of a social school worker by helping the students and parents with a student’s potential behavioural issues and enforce, if necessary, school attendance regulations. In case of a possible physical (re)admission to school, visiting teachers advise the school regarding suitable classroom guidance strategies and advisable teaching methods to support the student and make the transition as agreeable as possible.
Admissions coordinator: Admissions coordinators are in charge of the students’ applications and admissions to a (private) school, college or university. They asses possible future students’ qualifications and subsequently approve or deny their application, based on the regulations and desires set by the board of directors and the school administration. They also assist the accepted students in their enrollment in the programme and courses of their choice.
Lawyer: Lawyers provide legal advice to clients and act on their behalf in legal proceedings and in compliance with the law. They research for, interpret and study cases to represent their clients in a variety of settings such as courts and administrative boards. They create arguments on behalf of their clients for lawsuits in different contexts with the aim of finding a legal remedy.
Special educational needs coordinator: Special educational needs coordinators oversee programmes and activities that provide educational support to children with a variety of disabilities. They ensure they are up to date with the latest developments in the special needs research field with the objective of facilitating the special education processes needed to maximise the growth and learning potential of students with special learning needs, and advise the special education principal of these developments and new programme proposals.
Student financial support coordinator: Student financial support coordinators assist students and education administrators in the management of tuition fees and student loans. They advise on and determine the amounts and the eligibility of student loans, advise students on available, suitable loans and liaise with outside loans sources, such as banks, to facilitate the student loan process. They make professional judgement decisions concerning students’ eligibility for financial aid and may set up counsel meetings including the student’s parents to discuss financial support issues and solutions.

References

1. Education law – ESCO