This is not only good instructional practice, but it is wise legal practice as well. The goal of law is to set guidelines so that problems can be avoided, not encountered. Consistent and open communication is likely to create an environment in which problems can be understood and solved before they lead to legal battles. Open communication also implies that parents will know and understand their rights. This means that schools should provide interpreters for those parents that do not speak English and that the school helps parents understand their rights.
Communication is also critical within the school district organization.
When teachers encounter a situation which they are legally unsure about, they should communicate with the administrators in their building. When administrators are unsure about how to handle a specific situation, they should communicate with appropriate officials in the district office. Finally, the district office must be able to recognize when the school district's lawyer should be called to provided advice in response to a situation. The goal of school personnel is to use knowledge of law, policy, and common law to solve problems so that schools and parents can focus on their primary task of educating children.