Which federal laws must school social workers understand?

• A. HIPAA and COPPA
• B. Local zoning
• C. IDEA, ADA, FERPA, and Section 504
• D. No federal laws

Answer: (C)

Focus on the laws that protect students’ rights, ensure access to education, and govern how information about students is handled. The four laws here work together to cover those essentials.

IDEA ensures that students with disabilities receive appropriate services, including evaluation, eligibility determination, an individualized education program (IEP), and related services in the least restrictive environment. This sets the framework for how special education is provided.

Section 504 protects against disability discrimination and requires reasonable accommodations for students who have a disability but may not qualify for IDEA services. It ensures access and equity in the school setting.

ADA broadens protections to prohibit discrimination based on disability in all programs and activities of public schools, reinforcing inclusive access and accommodations beyond what IDEA and Section 504 address.

FERPA governs who may access a student’s educational records and how those records can be shared, which is essential for a school social worker who handles confidential information and must safeguard student privacy.

HIPAA and COPPA are related privacy laws but do not ordinarily govern daily school operations in the same way as the four laws above. HIPAA applies to protected health information in health care contexts, and FERPA typically governs school records; COPPA concerns online data collection from young children and is more situational for school websites or apps. Local zoning is not a federal education law.

So, understanding IDEA, ADA, FERPA, and Section 504 covers the key federal obligations directly impacting school social work practice.