Drug Testing in Public Schools V/S Private Schools
While everyone is aware of the fact that all schools have drug testing policies in place, not everyone is aware that there are differences in the way that drug testing is conducted in private schools and public schools. These differences can have a major impact on the way drug testing is conducted and what rights the student and their parents have in deciding if they will participate in that drug testing. Below is a list of some of those differences.
While drug testing in public schools can be limited by state and local laws, private schools control whether this type of testing happens in their school. Because major funding for public school comes from federal resources and the government has major control over public school regulations, these schools must follow federal regulations. Private schools are privately funded and can do as they choose, so long as it suits the interests of those who fund them; from parents to councils.
Private schools have fewer students as compared to public schools and so the cost of drug testing in private schools is likely to be less expensive overall.
Private schools may test any student they want, while public schools must restrict drug testing to students in extracurricular activities or suspected use or possession cases. Private schools retain control on the way their students and faculty are governed, while public schools are federally monitored and regulated.
Public schools are required to address the issue of the student’s rights because they are federally funded, while private schools may set their own policies because their funding comes directly from parents and other private sources. Students at private schools apply for the right to go to a private school and must abide by the rules of that school.