§1228c Disclosure requirements

Summary

Educational groups that charge fees must give written information to a minor or the minor’s parent before enrolling the child or taking money. They must say how they find and pick students (such as where mailing lists came from, whether school staff helped recruit and were paid, open enrollment steps, or help from membership groups). They must show the cost breakdown and percent for items like food, lodging, travel, staff, books, speaker fees, and administrative costs, name who provides each item, and say if any board member, officer, or employee has a relationship with those providers and what pay they get. Enrollment materials must include a verifiable statement that the group does not discriminate in hiring or in student participation because of race, disability (see 42 U.S.C. 12102(2)), or living in a low-income area, but the statement does not guarantee a student a spot or a fee waiver. The Secretary of Education must share these rules with schools and parents, require organizations to provide proof they follow the rules, and enforce them by writing regulations, keeping a complaint process, referring cases to other authorities, warning schools and parents about violations, and fining organizations up to $1,000 per violation. Key terms: disability (see cited law); educational organization (fee-charging group that recruits by ads, mailings, school staff, or past participants, with exceptions for public schools, state education agencies, colleges, and some local or recreational groups); educational program (fee-based programs for minors like honors seminars, study trips, exchanges, or similar experiences that happen away from regular school, include at least one supervised night away, and aim to enhance school work); local school official (top district official or designee); minor (under 18); membership organization (has members and collects dues); recreational organization/program (focused on fun or sports).