Contributor

Mark Walsh

is a contributing writer to Education Week. He writes about school-related cases in the U.S. Supreme Court and in lower courts, which he also covers in The School Law Blog. Legal issues in education have been his beat for more than 19 years.
Send an email to Mark Walsh.

Top North Dakota Court Upholds Officer's Search of Student
April 24, 2012 - Education Week
 A North Dakota school resource officer's search of a student that turned up illegal drugs was reasonable, the state's highest court has ruled.

Education Spending Raised in Arguments on Health-Care Law
April 2, 2012 - Education Week
 U.S. Supreme Court justices mulled whether expansion of the Medicaid program would swell federal power to put conditions on states when they take money in other areas, such as education.

Free-Speech Claim Denied by Court
March 27, 2012 - Education Week
 A federal district judge ruled a Mississippi student's rap song on Facebook and YouTube was not protected by the First Amendment.

Alabama Defends Immigration Checks
March 6, 2012 - Education Week

Court Rules in Favor of White Administrator
March 6, 2012 - Education Week

K-12 Wrinkle Seen in Affirmative Action Case
February 28, 2012 - Education Week

Legal Issues Still Murky on Online Student Speech
January 24, 2012 - Education Week

Justices Decline to Weigh Prayer at Meetings of School Boards
January 24, 2012 - Education Week

Supreme Court Backs Church in Teacher Case
January 17, 2012 - Education Week

High Court Weighs Relaxation of Union 'Agency Fees'
January 17, 2012 - Education Week

Key Lawyer in Brown v. Board Dies at Age 94
January 10, 2012 - Education Week

Guidance on Race-Based Factors Gets Polarized Response
December 9, 2011 - Education Week

Judge Rejects Suit Challenging Alabama Property-Tax System
November 1, 2011 - Education Week

Justice Thomas Holds Firm Views on Youths' Rights
October 17, 2011 - Education Week

Parochial-School Case Gets Airing at Supreme Court
October 11, 2011 - Education Week

High Court to Consider 'Ministerial Exception'
October 4, 2011 - Education Week

Court Rules Young Students Have Religious-Speech Rights
October 4, 2011 - Education Week

Judge Requires Ala. Schools to Enforce Immigration Law
October 4, 2011 - Education Week

Court Case Puts Focus on Parochial-School Teachers
October 3, 2011 - Education Week

Court: Teacher Has No Right to 'God' Banners in Class
September 20, 2011 - Education Week

Mo. Judge Blocks Facebook Limits
September 13, 2011 - Education Week

Teacher Can't Be Sued for Comments on Religion
August 29, 2011 - Education Week

Colo. Judge Blocks Voucher Program
August 23, 2011 - Education Week

School Board Meeting Prayer Ruled Unconstitutional
August 23, 2011 - Education Week

Discipline Over Online Bullying Upheld
August 9, 2011 - Education Week

Education Issues Take Spotlight in High Court
July 12, 2011 - Education Week

Mich. Race-in-Admissions Ban Struck Down
July 12, 2011 - Education Week

Court Supports Students in Principal Parodies
July 12, 2011 - Education Week

Supreme Court Sidesteps Test of In-School Questionings
June 7, 2011 - Education Week

Letter Reminds U.S. Schools of Obligations to Immigrants
May 17, 2011 - Education Week

U.S. Supreme Court Refuses Appeal of 'Silent' Cheerleader
May 10, 2011 - Education Week

Justices Seek U.S. Views on Special Education Case
April 26, 2011 - Education Week

High Court Tax-Credit Ruling Could Offer New Momentum to School Choice Supporters
April 19, 2011 - Education Week

Judge Blocks Ban of Cancer Bracelet
April 19, 2011 - Education Week

Exemption for Religious Educators to Be Weighed
April 5, 2011 - Education Week

Laid-Off Chicago Teachers Have Recall Rights
April 5, 2011 - Education Week

Tax Credits for Religious Schools Survive Challenge
April 4, 2011 - Education Week

Justices Appear Divided on In-School Questionings
March 29, 2011 - Education Week

High Court Hears Case on Police Interviews at School
March 8, 2011 - Education Week

High Court Refuses to Hear Conn. Challenge to NCLB Law
March 1, 2011 - Education Week

High Court Cases Focus on In-School Questionings
February 22, 2011 - Education Week

Court Upholds Law Protecting Teachers and Administrators
February 22, 2011 - Education Week

Calif. Court Rejects Unfunded-Mandate Demands
February 22, 2011 - Education Week

Appeals Court Upholds Using Race in Texas Admissions
January 25, 2011 - Education Week

Court Declines Speech Case
December 7, 2010 - Education Week

Supreme Court Decision Limits Municipal Liability
December 7, 2010 - Education Week

Pledge of Allegiance Law Passes Federal Court Muster
November 30, 2010 | Updated: March 23, 2012 - Education Week

Court Rules in Favor of Ban on Confederate Flag Display
November 30, 2010 | Updated: March 23, 2012 - Education Week

High Court Hears Alabama Tax Case With K-12 Angle
November 15, 2010 - Education Week

Court Rejects Challenges to Admission Policy
December 8, 2010 - Education Week

High Court Takes Case on Police 'Custody' on Campus
November 9, 2010 - Education Week

Justices Tackle Tax Credits, Violent Video Games
November 8, 2010 - Education Week

High Court Seen Snubbing Religious-Expression Cases
November 1, 2010 - Education Week

Appellate Court Upholds Moment-of-Silence Law
October 25, 2010 - Education Week

Teacher Speech Rights on Curriculum Rejected
October 26, 2010 - Education Week

High Court to Weigh Police Questionings at School
October 19, 2010 - Education Week

Alternative Education Not a Fundamental Right in N.C.
October 18, 2010 - Education Week

U.S. Appeals Court Upholds Texas Pledge of Allegiance
October 18, 2010 - Education Week

Fla. Court Rejects Challenge to Class-Size Amendment
October 12, 2010 - Education Week

U.S. Justices Decline Case on Religious Music at School
October 12, 2010 - Education Week

Appeals Court Curbs U.S. Rule on Alternative Certification
October 1, 2010 - Education Week

K-12 Implications Seen in Some Cases Before High Court
September 28, 2010 - Education Week

ACLU Challenges Legality of Public School Fees
September 21, 2010 - Education Week

Pledge of Allegiance Debate Heard by Federal Court
September 21, 2010 - Education Week

Administrator's Age-Bias Lawsuit Revived by Federal Appeals Court
August 30, 2010 - Education Week

Wisconsin Grants Privacy to Teacher E-Mails
August 13, 2010 - Education Week

Appeals Court Upholds Dismissal of NCLB Case
August 10, 2010 - Education Week

Education and the Supreme Court
July 13, 2010 - Education Week

Kagan Vows to Shun 'Political Hat' on High Court
July 13, 2010 - Education Week

High Court Nominee’s Hearing Underway
June 28, 2010 | Updated: March 23, 2012 - Education Week

Papers Hint at High Court Nominee's Policy Thinking
June 14, 2010 - Education Week

Supreme Court to Weigh Arizona Tuition Tax Credits
May 25, 2010 | Updated: March 23, 2012 - Education Week

Limited Record on Precollegiate Issues Seen for Obama's Supreme Court Pick
May 18, 2010 - Education Week

High Court Pick Has Sparse K-12 Policy Record
May 10, 2010 | Updated: March 23, 2012 - Education Week

High Court Hears Case on Christian Student Club
April 27, 2010 - Education Week

Education Cases One Facet of Stevens’ High Court Legacy
April 19, 2010 - Education Week

High Court Turns Down Religious-Music Case
March 30, 2010 - Education Week

High Court Accepts Background-Check Case
March 16, 2010 - Education Week

High Court to Hear Teacher's Case
March 1, 2010 - Education Week

Campaign Finance Touchy Union Issue
January 26, 2010 - Education Week

Unions Within Sweep of Campaign Finance Ruling
January 22, 2010 - Education Week

Supreme Court Turns Down Three Education Cases
January 19, 2010 - Education Week

High Court to Hear College Religious Group's Case
December 11, 2009 - Education Week

Supreme Court Considers Student Loans, Bankruptcy
December 8, 2009 - Education Week

NCLB Suit Dismissal Stands as Appeals Court Deadlocks
October 26, 2009 - Education Week

High Court Denies Hot-Button School Cases
October 13, 2009 - Education Week

Courts Sound Sour Note on 'Ave Maria' at Event
September 15, 2009 - Education Week

Greater Latitude Allowed in Private School Tuitions for Spec. Ed. Placements
July 14, 2009 - Education Week

Supreme Court Backs Reimbursement for Private Tuition
June 22, 2009 - Education Week

Souter a Key Voice in Education Cases
May 12, 2009 - Education Week

Justice Thomas' Remarks Inspire Teen Essayists
April 3, 2009 - Education Week

Supreme Court Rejects Appeal of Student Armband Protest
March 10, 2009 - Education Week

Supreme Court Backs Idaho's Payroll-Deduction Curb
March 3, 2009 - Education Week

Court Sides With Miami Board On Removal of Book About Cuba
February 10, 2009 - Education Week

Supreme Court Sides With Student in Sex-Bias Case
January 21, 2009 - Education Week

Views on Speech by Students Clash
January 21, 2009 - Education Week

Sex-Bias Remedies Upheld
January 16, 2009 - Education Week

Supreme Court to Hear Case on ELL Funding in Arizona
January 9, 2009 | Updated: April 4, 2012 - Education Week

ELLs and the Law: Statutes, Precedents
December 31, 2008 - Education Week

Supreme Court Declines to Hear Case on Religious Messages
January 6, 2009 - Education Week

Federal Appeals Court Weighs Union's Suit Over NCLB
December 11, 2008 - Education Week

High Court Hears Arguments in Harassment Case
December 8, 2008 - Education Week

N.J. Parents Lose Suit Over NCLB
December 1, 2008 - Education Week

Justices Hear Peer-Harassment Case
December 2, 2008 - Education Week

Monument Case Before High Court Has Implications for Schools
November 18, 2008 - Education Week

Justices Weigh Bar on Payroll Deductions for Politics
November 10, 2008 - Education Week

No to Teachers' Buttons
October 28, 2008 - Education Week

Supreme Court Rejects Case on Spec. Ed. 'Burden of Proof'
October 28, 2008 - Education Week

Scholars Weigh Court Influence Over School Practices, Climate
October 20, 2008 - Education Week

Court Mulls Process for Deciding 'Qualified Immunity' of Officials
October 15, 2008 - Education Week

High Court's First Week Includes School District Harassment Case
October 9, 2008 - Education Week

Kennedy Faults Bush Justice Dept.
October 7, 2008 - Education Week

Mass. Appeals Court Upholds Reinstatement of Lowell Teachers
October 7, 2008 - Education Week

Supreme Court: A Preview of the New Term
October 2, 2008 - Education Week

‘God’ in Classroom Gets Legal Scrutiny
September 30, 2008 - Education Week

OCR Race Letter Draws Objection
September 23, 2008 - Education Week

McCain Promises to 'Shake Up' Schools
September 5, 2008 - Education Week

GOP’s Host State Made Its Mark on Education Stage
August 29, 2008 - Education Week

Court’s Term Marked by Rulings In Age-Discrimination Disputes
July 9, 2008 | Updated: April 7, 2012 - Education Week

Supreme Court Rules for Public Employers in Targeted-Bias Case
June 12, 2008 - Education Week

Justices to Hear School Sex-Discrimination Case
June 12, 2008 - Education Week

Student Loses Discipline Case For Blog Remarks
June 6, 2008 - Education Week

Supreme Court Bolsters Workers’ Job Protections
May 29, 2008 - Education Week

High Court Refuses Case on Parent’s Criticism of District Leader
May 15, 2008 - Education Week

U.S. Appeals Court Backs District’s Rules on School Uniforms
May 15, 2008 | Updated: April 7, 2012 - Education Week

Indiana High Court Throws Out Punishment Over MySpace Page
May 20, 2008 - Education Week

High Court Refuses Case on Criticism of Superintendent
May 20, 2008 - Education Week

McCain Cites ‘Pledge’ Court Case As Example of ‘Judicial Activism’
May 13, 2008 - Education Week

Full Appeals Court to Reconsider Ruling That Revived NCLB Suit
May 1, 2008 | Updated: April 7, 2012 - Education Week

District Ordered to Allow Student's Anti-Gay T-Shirt
April 24, 2008 | Updated: April 7, 2012 - Education Week

1960s Radical Drawing Fire to Obama Is a Prominent Thinker on K-12 Education
April 25, 2008 - Education Week

High Court Hears Closely Watched Employment Case
April 24, 2008 | Updated: April 7, 2012 - Education Week

‘Day of Silence’ in Schools Brings Unity, Controversy
April 18, 2008 | Updated: April 7, 2012 - Education Week

Justices Decline Appeal Over Student's Online Threat
April 3, 2008 | Updated: April 7, 2012 - Education Week

Retired Justice’s Focus Now on Civic Education Project
April 4, 2008 - Education Week

Court to Weigh Deductions for Union PACs
April 8, 2008 - Education Week

Justices to Weigh Case on Immunity
April 1, 2008 - Education Week

Supreme Court to Review Idaho Law on Union Paycheck Deductions
March 31, 2008 - Education Week (Web)

Supreme Court to Weigh Case on Official Immunity
March 27, 2008 - Education Week

Court Takes Case Arising From Shooting at School
March 21, 2008 - Education Week

Illinois Teachers’ Fund Player in Federal Case
March 13, 2008 - Education Week

New York State Examines Districts’ Attorney Practices
March 14, 2008 - Education Week

Random Drug Testing Found Unconstitutional in Washington State
March 18, 2008 - Education Week

Panel: Don’t Expect Education to Rise as Campaign Issue
March 11, 2008 - Education Week

Activist Backed Court Case on Student Bible Club
March 11, 2008 - Education Week

U.S. Supreme Court Declines Two Appeals on School Cases
March 4, 2008 - Education Week

Justices Decline District’s Appeal in Speech Case
February 21, 2008 | Updated: April 7, 2012 - Education Week

Sauce for Gander: Districts Sue Court in Finance Dispute
February 25, 2008 - Education Week

NCLB Trumps IDEA, Appeals Court Rules
February 14, 2008 | Updated: April 7, 2012 - Education Week

Spellings Asks 6th Circuit to Reconsider NCLB Ruling
February 7, 2008 | Updated: April 7, 2012 - Education Week

Bill Would Change Liability Standard in Title IX Cases
February 5, 2008 - Education Week

Parents Lose Federal Challenge on Gay-Tolerant School Materials
February 5, 2008 - Education Week

Sparring Continues Over NCLB Legal Ruling
January 24, 2008 | Updated: April 7, 2012 - Education Week

Justices Mulling Fewer Education Cases This Term
January 24, 2008 | Updated: April 7, 2012 - Education Week

Latest Round in Utah Battle Goes to Unions
January 22, 2008 - Education Week

Court Backs Principal Who Barred Distribution of Religious Message
January 22, 2008 - Education Week

Justices Examine Age Disparity in Retirement Systems
January 11, 2008 - Education Week

Court Ruling in NCLB Suit Fuels Fight Over Costs
January 11, 2008 - Education Week

Court Revives NEA Suit Against NCLB
January 8, 2008 - Education Week (Web)

Courts: Students Have No Rights on Witnesses
January 7, 2008 - Education Week

Court Seeks Justice Dept.’s Views in Case Over N.Y. Teacher Test
December 5, 2007 - Education Week

Use of Race a Concern for Magnet Schools
October 25, 2007 - Education Week

Justices Decline to Hear 2nd IDEA Case on Tuition
October 23, 2007 - Education Week

Court Is Split on IDEA Private-Placement Case
October 11, 2007 - Education Week

Justices Decline to Hear Case on Teacher’s Religious Postings
October 16, 2007 - Education Week

In Supreme Court, Pension Funds Join Battle on Fraud
October 16, 2007 - Education Week

Teacher's Appeal on 'Peace' Speech Denied
October 4, 2007 - Education Week

Justices Weigh IDEA Private Placements
October 9, 2007 - Education Week

‘Hitler Youth’ Button Ruling Upsets N.J. School District
October 2, 2007 - Education Week

Justices Hear Arguments on ‘Unilateral’ Private Placements
October 1, 2007 - Education Week (Web)

High Court Case Could Rein In Private Placements Under IDEA
September 24, 2007 - Education Week

Spellings Hits Alaska
September 4, 2007 - Education Week

Will Spellings Labor for the Duration?
September 4, 2007 - Education Week

Democratic Field Turns to Education
August 28, 2007 - Education Week

Miller’s NCLB Priorities Spark Fresh Debate
August 10, 2007 - Education Week

Student’s Threatening ‘Fiction’ is Unprotected Speech, Court Rules
August 14, 2007 - Education Week

Miller Outlines Proposed Changes for NCLB
July 30, 2007 - Education Week (Web)

Use of Race Uncertain for Schools
July 12, 2007 | Updated: December 13, 2011 - Education Week

Ruling in ‘Bong Hits’ Case Seen as Leaving Protection For Students’ Free Speech
July 17, 2007 - Education Week

Districts Face Uncertainty in Maintaining Racially Diverse Schools
June 28, 2007 - Education Week (Web)

Speech Ruling Backs Schools But Protects Student Political Expression
June 25, 2007 | Updated: December 13, 2011 - Education Week (Web)

Supreme Court Rules for Athletic Association in Speech Case
June 21, 2007 | Updated: December 13, 2011 - Education Week (Web)

The Next Education President
June 19, 2007 - Education Week

High Court Upholds Wash. State Law on Union Fees
June 15, 2007 - Education Week

Review Denied for School Resource Officer
June 5, 2007 - Education Week

Experts Ponder Whether Parents Will Rush To Court
June 5, 2007 - Education Week

The Media and NCLB
June 5, 2007 - Education Week

Lawsuit Over Hawaii Schools’ Admissions Policy Is Settled
May 22, 2007 - Education Week

High Court Backs Parents’ Rights to Argue Cases Under IDEA
May 21, 2007 | Updated: December 13, 2011 - Education Week (Web)

Calif. Appeals Court Rules School Officials Didn’t Libel Principal
May 15, 2007 - Education Week

Court Finds Teacher’s Postings Are Form of Curricular Speech
May 15, 2007 - Education Week

State Must Pay $155,000 in Case Over Disinvited Conference Speaker
May 15, 2007 - Education Week

Justices Decline Case on Buffalo, N.Y., Wage Freeze
May 8, 2007 - Education Week

Justices Weigh Tenn. School’s Speech Rights
April 18, 2007 - Education Week

Clinton Criticizes Testing Required by NCLB
April 24, 2007 - Education Week

Supreme Court Drops Review of Employment-Bias Case
April 23, 2007 - Education Week

Supreme Court Backs Ed. Dept.’s Interpretation of Impact Aid Act
April 24, 2007 - Education Week

Supreme Court Backs Federal Interpretation of Impact Aid Act
April 17, 2007 - Education Week (Web)

High Court to Hear Case on School’s Letter To Athletes
April 10, 2007 - Education Week

Justices Turn Down Case on Mich. Sports Seasons
April 10, 2007 - Education Week

Presidents’ School Days on Exhibit
March 30, 2007 - Education Week

High Court Voids Ruling on Anti-Gay Shirt
March 9, 2007 - Education Week

Rights at Stake in Free-Speech Case
March 9, 2007 - Education Week

Justices Decline Appeal on School Holiday Displays
February 27, 2007 - Education Week

Mrs. Bush Attends Paris Conference
January 17, 2007 - Education Week

House Panel Hits the Road to Gather Views on NCLB
September 6, 2006 - Education Week

NCLB Reauthorization Hearing Tackles Flexibility, Standards
August 30, 2006 - Education Week (Web)

Appeals Court Won’t Reconsider District’s Ban on Anti-Gay T-Shirts
August 8, 2006 - Education Week

Conn. Sees Legal Boost for Its NCLB Suit
July 7, 2006 - Education Week

Justices Rule Against Parents in IDEA Case
July 11, 2006 - Education Week

Parents May Not Recover Expert Fees Under IDEA, Supreme Court Rules
June 26, 2006 - Education Week (Web)

Literacy Conference set
May 2, 2006 - Education Week

School Days
April 18, 2006 - Education Week

The Daily News
March 21, 2006 - Education Week

Alito Joins High Court; O’Connor Tenure Ends
February 7, 2006 - Education Week

Court to Weigh Expert Fees in IDEA Cases
January 17, 2006 - Education Week

Supreme Court to Hear Case on Reimbursement for Special Education Experts
January 9, 2006 - Education Week (Web)

Ex-Congressman Dies
November 8, 2005 - Education Week

Miers Withdraws
November 1, 2005 - Education Week

Rehnquist Had Lasting Influence on School Cases
September 13, 2005 - Education Week

Most Schools Selling Snacks, Report by GAO Says
September 13, 2005 - Education Week

Rehnquist Played Key Role in Many Education Cases
September 6, 2005 - Education Week (Web)

Court Nominee’s Paper Trail Includes School Issues
July 26, 2005 - Education Week

Supreme Court Nominee’s Record Includes Legal Issues in Education
July 20, 2005 - Education Week (Web)

Spellings Heads Delegation to Jordan Education Meeting
May 24, 2005 - Education Week

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Living History
May 3, 2005 - Education Week

Justices to Weigh Employee Speech
March 8, 2005 - Education Week

Appeals Court Rejects Suit Over NCLB Advisory Panel
February 1, 2005 - Education Week

New USDA Boss
January 25, 2005 - Education Week

Move to UNICEF
January 25, 2005 - Education Week

The West Wing
January 11, 2005 - Education Week

Choice for Agriculture
December 7, 2004 - Education Week

Bilateral Education
November 16, 2004 - Education Week

NSF Nomination
September 24, 2004 - Education Week

Federal File
October 1, 2004 - Education Week

Palmetto State Perspective
September 20, 2004 - Education Week

One Thin Dime
September 20, 2004 - Education Week

Paige Suggests Questions for Parents to Ask Schools
September 20, 2004 - Education Week

Minnesota Delegation Finds Convention Days Are All Above Average
August 11, 2004 - Education Week

High Court High Noon
February 13, 2002 - Education Week

Tutoring Services See Opportunity in New Law
January 23, 2002 - Education Week

Downturn Threatens Ed. Business More Than Terrorism
November 21, 2001 - Education Week

Quiz Biz
June 16, 1999 - Education Week

Where the Great Plains Meet the Rockies, Schools Are the Centers of Community
April 28, 1999 - Education Week

Hollywood Goes to School
February 24, 1999 - Education Week

Polling Techniques Help Districts To Get Closer to Their Customers
December 11, 1996 - Education Week

Declarations of Independence
November 29, 1995 - Education Week

Signing Up the Public
April 7, 1993 - Education Week

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