Court Cases

Education news, analysis, and opinion about lawsuits and legal proceedings
Paul D. Clement at the lectern for the petitioner.
A sketch by Art Lien, who just retired after a long career as a courtroom artist, shows U.S. Supreme Court arguments in April in <i>Kennedy</i> v. <i>Bremerton School District</i>, a case about a high school football coach's post-game prayers and one of several cases of interest to educators during the court's 2021-22 term.
Art Lien
Law & Courts The Supreme Court and Education: Key Rulings That Impact Schools
A recap of the court's decisions that are relevant to schools and educators.
Mark Walsh, June 30, 2022
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4 min read
Globe with two ethnic characters holding symbolism for various world religions.
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Law & Courts Why Some Religious Groups Worry After Supreme Court Sided With Praying High School Coach
Concerns arise about equal treatment of students and employees from minority religious groups after a ruling on a Christian coach's prayers.
Evie Blad, June 28, 2022
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5 min read
Joe Kennedy, a former assistant football coach at Bremerton High School in Bremerton, Wash., poses for a photo March 9, 2022, at the school's football field. After losing his coaching job for refusing to stop kneeling in prayer with players and spectators on the field immediately after football games, Kennedy will take his arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday, April 25, 2022, saying the Bremerton School District violated his First Amendment rights by refusing to let him continue praying at midfield after games.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday ruled in favor of former Bremerton (Wash.) High School assistant football coach Joseph A. Kennedy that his post-game prayers were protected by the First Amendment.
Ted S. Warren/AP
Law & Courts Supreme Court Says High School Coach's Post-Game Prayers Protected by the First Amendment
The decision could have enormous practical consequences for school districts and their supervision of teachers and other employees.
Mark Walsh, June 27, 2022
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9 min read
Anti-abortion and abortion-rights protesters gather outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Friday, June 24, 2022. The Supreme Court has ended constitutional protections for abortion that had been in place nearly 50 years, a decision by its conservative majority to overturn the court's landmark abortion cases.
Anti-abortion and abortion-rights protesters gather outside the Supreme Court Friday. The court issued a ruling ending constitutional protections for abortion that had been in place for nearly 50 years.
Jose Luis Magana/AP
Law & Courts What the 'Roe v. Wade' Reversal Means for Educators, Schools, and Students
The decision will dramatically reshape the context of schooling for the women-dominated profession—as well as affect students, counselors, and health curricula.
Sarah Schwartz, June 24, 2022
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7 min read
Members of the Supreme Court pose for a group photo at the court in 2021.
Members of the U.S. Supreme Court pose for a group photo at the court in 2021.
Erin Schaff/The New York Times via AP
Law & Courts School Groups Worry as Supreme Court Recognizes Right to Carry Handguns in Public
In a 6-3 decision over a New York state law, the court says little about schools as 'sensitive places' where guns can be prohibited.
Mark Walsh, June 23, 2022
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6 min read
Image of the Supreme Court.
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Law & Courts Supreme Court Strikes Down Maine's Exclusion of Religious Schools From Tuition-Aid Program
The justices hold that barring "sectarian" schools from the program for towns without public high schools violates the First Amendment.
Mark Walsh, June 21, 2022
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7 min read
Scales of justice and Gavel on wooden table and Lawyer or Judge working with agreement in Courtroom, Justice and Law concept.
Pattanaphong Khuankaew/iStock
Law & Courts A Charter School Made Girls Wear Skirts to Promote 'Chivalry.' An Appeals Court Says No
A federal appeals court said the charter school's policy violates the Constitution and that Title IX applies to dress codes.
Mark Walsh, June 15, 2022
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4 min read
A multiple exposure of a wooden gavel and a long row of columns from a courthouse.
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Social Studies Students Deepen Access to Civics Education In Hard-Fought Legal Battle
The case didn't establish a federal right to education, but will spark changes in Rhode Island and could spur challenges in other states.
Catherine Gewertz, June 15, 2022
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5 min read
Image of the Supreme Court.
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Law & Courts Supreme Court Denies Appeal From 1st Grader With Disabilities Put In Chokehold by Teacher
Lower courts said the Texas student and his parents could not bring a federal civil rights claim because of adequate state-law procedures.
Mark Walsh, June 13, 2022
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4 min read
Photo shows a summer day in front of the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, DC.
Bill Chizek/iStock/Getty Images Plus
Law & Courts Florida Can Recover Money From Funds for Girl Who Was Hurt After Exiting School Bus
The Supreme Court rules in the case of a student who has been in a vegetative state since being hit by a truck in 2005.
Mark Walsh, June 6, 2022
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2 min read
People view the Supreme Court building from behind security fencing on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 21, 2021. A Supreme Court case being argued this week amid March Madness could erode the difference between elite college athletes and professional sports stars.
People view the U.S. Supreme Court building from behind security fencing on Capitol Hill.
Patrick Semansky/AP
Law & Courts As Nation Reels From School Shooting, Supreme Court to Rule on Wider Right to Carry Guns
The justices are weighing a major Second Amendment case in which they heard from groups reminding them of the tally of mass school attacks.
Mark Walsh, May 29, 2022
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6 min read
Image of a gavel
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Law & Courts How Liable Are School Districts for Student-on-Student Sexual Harassment?
The outcome of two federal lawsuits brought against the Nashville school district may answer that.
Mark Walsh, May 20, 2022
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4 min read
Image of the Supreme Court.
iStock/Getty
Law & Courts Supreme Court Rules Against Some 'Emotional Distress' Claims. What It Means for Schools
The dissenters say the decision means students cannot recover damages for the emotional harms of race, sex, or disability bias.
Mark Walsh, April 28, 2022
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5 min read
Illustration showing 4 individuals next to their pronouns (he/him, they/them, and she/her)
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Law & Courts Are Teachers Obliged to Tell Parents Their Child Might Be Trans? Courts May Soon Decide
Some administrators say outing a student could lead to child abuse or self-harm. Parents in court filings say they have a right to know.
Stephen Sawchuk, April 28, 2022
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12 min read
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