McGown & Markling attorneys have a wealth of experience in working with school administrators to plan, execute, and implement pupil services programs. We provide them with an understanding and application of the many state and federal laws which inform those programs. This is especially important, as these laws change from time to time based on legislative action or court decisions. Services impacted by legal mandates and prohibitions include those students who are gifted and talented, students with disabilities, students with health and medical conditions, and students served under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. These laws also impact school nursing, school social work, guidance and counseling, testing and assessment to name, and many more.
Our attorneys are also available to consult with school officials regarding enrollment, custody, and residency issues; student disciplinary matters such as suspension, expulsion, and administrative hearings; bullying, hazing, and harassment; alternative and private school placement, open enrollment, and school transfer; disability referral systems; student records and issues arising from the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA); public records requests; home schooling; kindergarten screening; use of non-school resources; and in crafting interagency agreements with community partners.