Procedural due process claims typically arise when a state official removes a child from a parent's care. For such claims, “the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees that parents will not be separated from their children without due process of law except in emergencies.” Rogers v.
While education may not be a "fundamental right" under the Constitution, the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment requires that when a state establishes a public school system (as in Texas), no child living in that state may be denied equal access to schooling.
Liability Protections for Educators One such protection is qualified immunity, which shields teachers from personal liability for actions taken within the scope of their official duties, provided that their conduct does not violate clearly established constitutional rights.
The Constitution and many federal statutes can be used to enforce the fairness and access requirements. The equal protection clause applies to all government decisions about education, and so states may not make distinctions between students unless the distinction stands up to the appropriate level of scrutiny.
Teachers are protected from discrimination based on race, gender, and age. Discrimination based on disability or national origin is also prohibited. The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment protects teachers at public schools.
No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
The Equal Protection Clause requires the government to have a valid reason for any law or official action that treats similarly-situated people or groups of people differently.
The Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution contains a number of important concepts, most famously state action, privileges or immunities, citizenship, due process, and equal protection—all of which are contained in Section One.
While education may not be a "fundamental right" under the Constitution, the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment requires that when a state establishes a public school system (as in Texas), no child living in that state may be denied equal access to schooling.
“Careful adherence to the 'state action' requirement preserves an area of individual freedom by limiting the reach of federal law and federal judicial power. It also avoids imposing on the State, its agencies or officials, responsibility for conduct for which they cannot fairly be blamed.