The Educator's Guide to Texas School Law

Much has changed in the area of school law since the first edition of The Educator’s Guide to Texas School Law was published in 1986. This new tenth edition of The Educator’s Guide offers an authoritative source on Texas school law through the 2021 legislative sessions. Intended for educators, school board members, attorneys, and taxpayers, it explains what the law is and what the implications are for effective school operations; it helps professional educators avoid expensive and time-consuming lawsuits by taking effective preventive action; and it serves as a highly valuable resource for school law courses and staff development sessions.

The tenth edition begins with a review of the legal structure of the Texas school system, incorporating recent features such as charter schools and districts of innovation, then addresses the instructional program, service to students with special needs, the rights of public school employees, the role of religion, student discipline, governmental transparency, privacy, parental rights, and the parameters of legal liability for schools and school personnel. The book includes discussion of major federal legislation, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title IX. On the state level, the book incorporates laws pertaining to cyberbullying, inappropriate relationships between students and employees, and human sexuality instruction.

Jim Walsh is a cofounder of Walsh, Gallegos, Treviño, Kyle, and Robinson, P.C.; author of the Law Dawg Ed Daily; a former member of the board of directors of the National Council of School Attorneys; and a recipient of the Kelly Frels Lifetime Achievement Award from the School Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.

Sarah Orman is licensed to practice law in California and Texas. She has represented school districts in both states and since 2013 has been employed at the Texas Association of School Boards, where she currently serves as legal editor.