TEA Principal Educational Law & Policy 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which of the following is NOT considered an education record?
- A student's cumulative academic transcript
- A teacher's personal notes kept solely for their own use (Correct answer)
- Disciplinary records maintained by the school
- Health records maintained by the school nurse
Correct answer: A teacher's personal notes kept solely for their own use
FERPA excludes sole-possession records (personal notes not shared with others) from the definition of education records.
Question 2: A principal receives a subpoena requesting a student's education records. Under FERPA, the principal should:
- Release records immediately to comply with the court order
- Refuse to release any records without written parental consent
- Make a reasonable effort to notify the parent before complying, unless the order prohibits it (Correct answer)
- Consult the school board before taking any action
Correct answer: Make a reasonable effort to notify the parent before complying, unless the order prohibits it
FERPA allows disclosure pursuant to a lawful subpoena but generally requires the school to notify the parent unless the order specifically prohibits such notification.
Question 3: Texas Education Code Section 25.001 establishes compulsory attendance requirements. Which age range must a child be enrolled in school in Texas?
- Ages 5 through 17
- Ages 6 through 18 (Correct answer)
- Ages 5 through 18
- Ages 6 through 17
Correct answer: Ages 6 through 18
Texas law requires compulsory school attendance for children ages 6 through 18 unless they have graduated.
Question 4: A student is chronically absent. Under Texas law, after how many unexcused absences must a campus principal file a complaint with the justice of the peace?
- 5 unexcused absences in a semester
- 10 unexcused absences in a six-month period (Correct answer)
- 3 unexcused absences in a four-week period
- 7 unexcused absences in any period
Correct answer: 10 unexcused absences in a six-month period
Texas Education Code §25.0951 requires the principal to file a complaint after 10 unexcused absences within a six-month period in the same school year.
Question 5: Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a school is required to provide accommodations for a student who:
- Has been identified as gifted and talented
- Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity (Correct answer)
- Has failed the STAAR assessment two consecutive years
- Is at risk of dropping out as defined by TEC §29.081
Correct answer: Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity
Section 504 protects individuals with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as learning.
Question 6: A parent requests that their child be exempt from the state-mandated STAAR assessment for religious reasons. As principal, how should you respond?
- Grant the exemption because religious freedom supersedes state testing mandates
- Explain that Texas law does not provide a religious exemption from STAAR assessments (Correct answer)
- Allow the parent to sign a waiver and excuse the student from testing
- Refer the request to the district's Title I coordinator
Correct answer: Explain that Texas law does not provide a religious exemption from STAAR assessments
Texas Education Code does not include a religious exemption from STAAR; principals must inform parents that participation is required by state law.
Question 7: Which federal law mandates that schools identify and evaluate students who may have disabilities and provide them a free appropriate public education (FAPE)?
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
- Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (Correct answer)
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Correct answer: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
IDEA specifically mandates FAPE, appropriate evaluation, and specially designed instruction for eligible students with disabilities.
TEA Principal Educational Law & Policy 2
Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which of the following is NOT considered an education record?