Curricular & Extracurricular Programs
Curricular and Extracurricular Programs:
Avoiding Problems for Your Students and Your School
Mary Angela Shaughnessy, SCN — Louisville, Kentucky
Can you treat students who participate in school athletics differently from how you do others? Do you make "the new teacher" coach the school's wrestling team even if he or she is not qualified? Are your consent forms valid? Will what you've decided to include or not include in your school's curriculum negatively impact your students in the future?
If you have questions about your school's existing programs or on how to set up curricular and extracurricular programs in a way that won't cause problems for your school or your students — call or contact the Louisville office of attorney Mary Angela Shaughnessy, SCN.
Common Problems and Issues
With Curricular and Extracurricular Programs
On a curricular basis, most states have fairly explicit guidelines as to what school curriculum should include. Schools that do not follow these guidelines run the risk of shortchanging their students and exposing their institutions to claims by parents and students alike. For example, a Texas court recently upheld the decision by the state's public universities not to accept science credits from private schools that only teach creation.
In terms of extracurricular programs, school athletics pose the largest number of potential problems. Documents like medical releases and parent agreement and consent forms need to be carefully reviewed for errors and oversights. Similarly, school policies regarding academics or the treatment of athletes as compared to other students can also cause problems.
As part of my practice, I regularly advise schools and school officials on these matters, reviewing existing documents and policies, and helping them to rework or create new and better ones.
Legal Information, Co-Counsel and Expert Witness
Services Provided Nationwide — 502-442-2396
If you're interested in the knowledge and unique perspective I have to offer as an educator and as a lawyer — please feel free to call me in Louisville or to contact me online with a brief description of your situation, interest or concerns.
