School Law

Frustrated with Texas school finance? This is how revolutions start.

In Texas, everything’s big…even frustration with school finance. Governor Abbot has educational funding in his sights – so much so that he’s declared a state of emergency for education! “Our mission begins with our students,” Abbott said concerning his legislative priorities. He cites two stats: only 40 percent of third-graders are reading at grade level …

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Undocumented Students: Lawmakers, civil rights groups question Betsy DeVos on immigration

According to NASSP, approximately 1.4 percent of K–12 students in the U.S. are undocumented. School leaders and principals might wonder about their legal obligations when serving this population of students. Should school officials report immigration concerns to government agencies? Are schools permitted to require a Social Security number during enrollment? Can school officials refuse to …

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School Safety Part II: Stakeholders Weigh In

In NASSP’s September issue, we convened a roundtable of principals and administrators who had dealt with active shooters on their campuses and in their communities. In this issue, we sought the input of additional stakeholders who are actively involved in school safety. Our roundtable, held in June, included Carl Fetcko, Canonsburg Police Department school resource …

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Pensions, Cheating, and Undocumented Students (Legal Brief)

This week’s legal updates include a Supreme Court’s relationship with school law, the attack on teacher pensions, cheating cases thrown out, and policy guides for undocumented students. For One Supreme Court Justice, a Personal Connection to School Law In a rare interview, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer reminisces about his father’s four decades …

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Appointed School Boards Pass Muster Under Voting Rights Act, Court Rules

A federal appeals court has rejected a challenge under the Voting Rights Act to Chicago’s mayorally appointed school board, holding that nothing in the text of the 1965 federal law requires any public office to be elective. Court rules, mayors can appoint school boards. Legal – The Voting Rights Act of 1965 aimed to overcome legal and policy barriers at …

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Massachusetts High Court Rules Schools Not Liable for Bullying

Massachusetts’ supreme court ruled last week that a school district cannot be held financially liable for bullying that left a child paralyzed. What is Bullying? The dictionary defines it as the use of superior strength or influence to intimidate (someone), typically to force him or her to do what one wants. More recent legislation defines …

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