Standardized Testing

• Many schools enforce standardized testing.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  Many schools employ standardized testing as a means of holding students and teachers accountable. Although many schools have made standardized tests mandatory in the classroom, the subject has become controversial between parents and teachers. In addition to everyday activities, teachers must test students to gauge each child's learning ability and talent. According to "The Washington Post," "no topic in education sparks as much debate and division as testing--especially standardized testing."
  
  

Attendance Policies

• Schools instate attendance policies to maintain a healthy learning environment.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  Most attendance policies will depend on the town or state where each child attends school. Towns generally decide on attendance policies, and most of the time schools enforce such policies on a case-by-case basis. Schools look for patterns in children's absence records. One example is Broward School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. According to the school's website, "a student has a 'pattern of non-attendance' if he or she is absent from school a total of 30 hours (5 days) in any one marking period or 60 hours (10 days) within 90 days."
  
  

Graduation Requirements

• Students must fulfill all requirements to graduate.Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
  
  Many schools issue exit exams. Schools began issuing these exams so children could not graduate based on a sports or vocational scholarship; however, exit exams have become as controversial as standardized testing. Nearly all schools in the U.S. require students to complete certain course requirements. These requirements include the completion of math, English and physical education courses. Many schools also require students to complete a certain number of credits at a selected difficulty level.
  
  

Discrimination Policies

• All accredited public schools must establish policies regarding discrimination. Schools may not participate in activities that exclude members of any religion, such as classroom prayer. However, most schools educate children about different religions as long as the lesson does not discriminate against a religion. Schools must not discriminate against students based on their sexuality or the sexuality of a family member. Faculty must also establish policies regarding discrimination based on race and ethnicity.