In loco parentis is a Latin phrase meaning "in the place of the parent." In education law, it refers to the legal doctrine that grants schools and their employees a degree of parental authority and responsibility over students during school hours and school-sponsored activities, including field trips and extracurricular travel.
This doctrine has deep roots in American education law, dating back to the 19th century. While its scope has been refined over time -- particularly regarding student rights -- the core obligation remains: when parents entrust their children to a school, the school assumes a duty to exercise the same degree of care that a reasonable, prudent parent would under comparable circumstances.