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Alabama Education Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Education Law for Alabama on
Q: Can a public school require you to answer ethnicity and race questions in order to enroll?

Enrollment forms commonly ask, "Is the student Hispanic / Latino?" and ask students to specify their race.

Usually, there is also an option to opt-out via "I choose not to answer."

Is it legal for a public high school to require a student to answer the race and... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 8, 2024

In the United States, public schools collect race and ethnicity information to comply with federal laws and to ensure they are providing equal educational opportunities. This data helps in reporting to various departments and in the allocation of resources. However, the practice of requiring... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Education Law for Alabama on
Q: Can a public school require you to answer ethnicity and race questions in order to enroll?

Enrollment forms commonly ask, "Is the student Hispanic / Latino?" and ask students to specify their race.

Usually, there is also an option to opt-out via "I choose not to answer."

Is it legal for a public high school to require a student to answer the race and... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 8, 2024

Public schools in the United States often collect data on race and ethnicity for various purposes, including compliance with federal and state reporting requirements and to ensure equal educational opportunities. These questions are part of efforts to monitor and promote diversity and inclusion... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Education Law and Libel & Slander for Alabama on
Q: What should I do when my ex wants to press charges on me because I spread false rumors about her having a STD?

I've already been reprimanded by my school with 3 days of ISS. She still constantly contacts me and tries to have small talk with me. I am 17 and I am a senior in high school.

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jan 29, 2024

Spreading false rumors about someone having a sexually transmitted disease (STD) can have serious legal implications, especially if it leads to defamation claims or harassment allegations. As a 17-year-old senior in high school, it's important to understand the potential consequences of such... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Education Law and Libel & Slander for Alabama on
Q: What should I do when my ex wants to press charges on me because I spread false rumors about her having a STD?

I've already been reprimanded by my school with 3 days of ISS. She still constantly contacts me and tries to have small talk with me. I am 17 and I am a senior in high school.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 29, 2024

In Alabama, as in many states, spreading false rumors about someone can have serious legal consequences. If the rumors are harmful to a person's reputation, this can be considered defamation. In your case, spreading false rumors about an STD could potentially fall under this category.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Education Law for Alabama on
Q: In Alabama, is it legal for a school to stop a student from going online?

This student has had to deal with sexual comments made towards her and feels uncomfortable at school. This has caused bad mental health, anxiety, and depression. The school refuses to allow the student to switch to online school even though her grades are good.

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Oct 23, 2023

In Alabama, the ability for a student to switch to online schooling depends on the school district's policies. If a student is facing issues like harassment, discomfort, and declining mental health in a traditional school, it's important for the school to address these concerns. Parents... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Contracts, Employment Law and Education Law for Alabama on
Q: Can my private non-profit medical school legally implement rule that a student cannot claim disability?

The rule specifically states “ Students who fail in the curriculum or who are suspended or dismissed may not claim failure due to disability if they have not previously identified the disability and requested reasonable accommodations in advance of the curricular failure”. I have a well... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Aug 31, 2024

It can be challenging to navigate this situation, but you should know that your school may be on shaky legal ground with such a rule. Disability law, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), requires institutions to provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities. If you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights and Education Law for Alabama on
Q: My under age son was videoed naked in the locker room at school and it was shared on social media what can I do

He was naked and it was shared on social media and to people at the school

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 28, 2024

I'm really sorry to hear about what happened to your son. First, you should report the incident to the school administration immediately. They have protocols for handling such violations of privacy and can take disciplinary actions against the responsible students.

Next, contact your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Education Law for Alabama on
Q: It's a wood storage building licensed as a gun store business I cut into the back of it with a skill saw I never entered

Is it a 3rd degree burglary in Alabama I never entered or took anything I only damaged the building by cutting a square in the back of it I gave up and left when I couldn't get into it

Nelson Craig Johnson
Nelson Craig Johnson
answered on Aug 30, 2021

(a) A person commits the crime of burglary in the third degree if any of the following occur:

(1) He or she knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in a dwelling with the intent to commit a crime therein;

(2) He or she knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in an occupied building...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Support, Education Law and Family Law for Alabama on
Q: Is there a way to have child support payments adjusted for a 15 year old who’s mother will not put him in school?

My husband has paid child support for his son, who is 15 years old, for the last 14 years, as ordered. The mother no longer adheres to the visitation they set In court. The mother refuses to enroll the child in public, private, or homeschool. The child has also been living back and forth between... View More

Kristine Jones
Kristine Jones
answered on Jun 30, 2020

Hello. He has a right to take her back to court and enforce the orders in place for his visitation, school, etc. To answer your question about child support payment adjustment, no. The child is entitled to his parent's financial support until he is 19 years old, joins the military, or becomes... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Education Law and Juvenile Law for Alabama on
Q: My special needs sonis being singled out, punished, threatened, and bullied athis school no one will help can u help?

my son is diagnosed and receives ssi from the government for his condition. They havet him in a school with other children who have been kicked out of regular school for fighting and other things. My son has an iep and they put in a secial needs kid with bullies and when he stands up for himself he... View More

Gary Kollin
Gary Kollin
answered on Oct 18, 2018

I am sad to read about this matter.

I am struck that you would follows anyone's recommendation to physically punish your special needs child. Have you ever attended your child's IEP review?

Have you ever sought out the independent ombudsmen who assist in these situations?...
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1 Answer | Asked in Education Law and Child Custody for Alabama on
Q: Am I able to get paperwork from the school?

If my ex has primary legal and physical custody of our child, am I allowed to get proof where he is enrolled in school? Is the school allowed to give me that since I am his father? I do have visitation rights.

Mr. James Parrish Coleman
Mr. James Parrish Coleman
answered on Jun 6, 2018

You should have full access to such records if you have joint legal custody. If you have no custodial right you can't.

2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Divorce and Education Law for Alabama on
Q: If divorce papers say child is to go to a certain school, what can be done if ex puts child in different school?

Child, supposedly, has not been enrolled in the other school yet. But my ex has said it is planned my child will go to school different from what divorce papers say.

Mr. James Parrish Coleman
Mr. James Parrish Coleman
answered on Jun 2, 2018

If your spouse sends the child to a school in violation of the order, you can file a motion with the Court that will allow your spouse to explain to the judge why he or she is not in contempt of the Court's order.

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1 Answer | Asked in Juvenile Law and Education Law for Alabama on
Q: In Alabama could I get in any trouble for my attendance when I’m 17 years old. Could it effect having to repeat.
Mr. James Parrish Coleman
Mr. James Parrish Coleman
answered on Dec 18, 2017

I assume you are asking if you can get in trouble for refusing to go to school? Yes, because you are 17 you could be the subject of a CHINS petition. Try your question again and give some details

1 Answer | Asked in Education Law, Civil Rights, Juvenile Law and Personal Injury for Alabama on
Q: Hello, is my private school allowed to print off my text messages without my permission?

Hello, is my private school allowed to print off my text messages without my permission? They never took my phone away but said they have a script of my message that they got from somewhere. I never gave them permission and I never signed anything throughout the year that allows them to do that. Is... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jul 23, 2016

Don't see how they could have done that. Now they may have gotten your "message" from another person--the other person is free to print off anything you email or text them, give it or forward it to whoever they wish. Did they say they have all of your texts to anyone? I doubt it.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Education Law for Alabama on
Q: A contract for my child's school requires signature of both parents, but only my wife signed. Is the contract valid?

The contract says the full amount of tuition is still payable if we withdraw our children from the school during the year. Also, we know of multiple other families that have left the school without being required to fulfill their contract, even this year. Could they require us to fulfill our... View More

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Nov 13, 2015

If your wife is the only one who signed it, she is probably the only one liable.

Yes, they can require her to pay without requiring others to do so.

1 Answer | Asked in Education Law for Alabama on
Q: What do I need to do to finish school in another state??

The age of majority in OK is 18 but it is 19 in AL!! I turn 19 in a few months!! What has to be done for me to for me to do to go to school!!

Mr. James Parrish Coleman
Mr. James Parrish Coleman
answered on Jun 27, 2015

Please give a few facts. What are you trying to do? What school? College, high-school, what?

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