Access and Equity
Free Education Expansion
Several countries expanded free education to include higher levels, such as community colleges or tertiary education (for example, the US’s effort to make community colleges tuition-free).
Equity Focus
Equity in Education Laws
The laws have targeted racial, gender, and socio-economic disparities, such as the US Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in 2015.
Read Also:
- https://swiftlawadvisor.com/20-rights-of-students-under-education-law/
- https://swiftlawadvisor.com/30-common-education-law-issues-and-their-solutions/
- https://swiftlawadvisor.com/40-legal-questions-about-school-systems-answered/
Inclusive Education for Disabilities
Strengthened legislation worldwide, for example, reforms to IDEA in the US guaranteed more support and accommodations for disabled students.
Equality of the Two Genders at School
Laws that enhance gender equality also strengthened, especially in the U.S. expansion of Title IX protections to incorporate sexual harassment and discrimination.
For Indigenous Education
Canada and Australia passed laws enhancing Indigenous languages, culture, and curriculum in public education.
Curriculum and Instruction
Digital Literacy is Compulsory
Laws increasingly mandate schools to teach digital literacy and internet safety, reflecting the role of technology in modern life.
Environmental Education Policies
Several jurisdictions made climate change education compulsory (for example, Italy’s 2019 law requiring climate studies).
STEM Education Promotion
Policies worldwide encouraged science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education to fill labor market gaps.
Civics Education Revamp
Laws such as those in the US and Europe reinstated or updated civics education to counter misinformation and promote democratic values.
Curriculum Decolonization
Legislations in South Africa and the UK were amended to include curricula that represented non-Western histories and perspectives.
Technology and Data Privacy
Regulation of EdTech
EdTech use was regulated through legislation in various countries to ensure that it aligned with pedagogical goals.
Data Privacy in Schools
GDPR in the EU and US state laws dealt with data security and privacy in schools for student information.
Remote Learning Legal Frameworks
In response to COVID-19, many governments implemented regulations to standardize the quality and access of remote learning.
AI in Education Oversight
Laws started addressing the ethical use of AI in education, such as transparency in grading and adaptive learning tools.
Ban on Excessive Surveillance
Legal challenges limited excessive surveillance of students using school-issued devices or platforms.
Student Rights
Strengthened Anti-Bullying Laws
Many countries expanded anti-bullying legislation to include cyberbullying and mandatory prevention programs.
Mental Health Protections
Laws increased school responsibilities for providing mental health resources and addressing student well-being.
Protection for LGBTQ+ Students
Laws in countries like Canada, the US, and the UK expanded protections for LGBTQ+ students, including recognizing their preferred pronouns.
School Safety Policies
Laws addressing gun violence in the US increased funding for security measures while sparking debates over “hardening” schools.
Student Protest Rights
Legal cases reinforced students’ rights to free expression and peaceful assembly, even in politically charged climates.
Teacher and Institution Accountability
Teacher Credentialing Reforms
New standards focused on cultural competency, mental health training, and technology integration.
School Funding Equalization
Policies such as California’s Local Control Funding Formula reformed funding to focus on underserved communities.
Charter School Regulation
Countries strengthened charter school regulation to ensure accountability and transparency in funding and outcomes.
Performance-Based Accountability
Under ESSA, the laws of countries such as the US evolved from standardized test results to the bigger picture of school effectiveness.
Climate-Resilient School Policies
The governments enacted laws that mandate schools to be resilient to the impacts of climate change such as heat waves and flooding.
These are examples of how education laws are evolving to keep up with society, technologies, and environmental changes and that promote inclusion and student well-being.
