Court Cases

Education news, analysis, and opinion about lawsuits and legal proceedings
A new billboard welcoming visitors to "Florida: The Sunshine 'Don't Say Gay or Trans' State," is seen on April 21, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. Florida's state government and LGBTQ+ advocates have settled a lawsuit challenging a law that bars teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools.
A billboard welcoming visitors to "Florida: The Sunshine 'Don't Say Gay or Trans' State," is seen on April 21, 2022, in Orlando. The billboard was a commentary by an LGBTQ+ rights group on a controversial law backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis regarding the teaching of certain topics. A federal appeals court on July 2 refused to block a related law, one barring teachers from using pronouns or titles that don't match their sex assigned at birth.
John Raoux/AP
Law & Courts Appeals Court Backs Fla. Law Barring Transgender Teacher's Use of Her Pronouns
A federal court upheld Florida’s ban on K-12 teachers using pronouns that differ from their sex assigned at birth when speaking to students.
Mark Walsh, July 2, 2025
•
4 min read
Audience members listen as President Joe Biden speaks during an event to celebrate the passage of the "Bipartisan Safer Communities Act," a law meant to reduce gun violence, on the South Lawn of the White House, July 11, 2022, in Washington, D.C.
Audience members listen as then-President Joe Biden speaks during an event to celebrate the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act on the South Lawn of the White House on July 11, 2022. The legislation provided funding for two school mental health grants that the Trump administration terminated in late April. Sixteen states are now suing to restore the funding.
Evan Vucci/AP
Law & Courts 16 States Sue Trump Admin. to Restore Mental Health Grants for Schools
Democratic state officials are challenging the Education Department ending mental health funding, which had passed with bipartisan support.
Brooke Schultz, July 1, 2025
•
3 min read
The U.S. Supreme Court building is seen May 21, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
The U.S. Supreme Court building is seen May 21, 2025 in Washington. On Friday, the court limited the ability of lower courts to issue universal injunctions that put a policy on hold nationwide. The ruling could affect how a number of cases challenging Trump administration policies proceed.
Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images
Law & Courts What a Supreme Court Ruling Means for All the Education Lawsuits Against Trump
The decision could change the course of education-related cases that have been trickling through the courts since Trump returned to office.
Brooke Schultz, June 30, 2025
•
8 min read
Make America Great Again hats are sold alongside other Trump memorabilia for the inauguration of Donald J. Trump on Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Make America Great Again hats are sold alongside other Trump memorabilia for the inauguration of Donald J. Trump on Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Supreme Court on June 30, 2025, declined to hear two cases involving political speech in public schools, including one centered on a student who alleges he was bullied and harassed by classmates and teachers after wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat.
Apolline Guillerot-Malick/Sipa via AP Images
Law & Courts Supreme Court Declines to Hear Cases on Teacher, Student Political Speech
The justices refused to take up the cases of a teacher fired over social media posts and a student who alleged harassment over his MAGA hat.
Mark Walsh, June 30, 2025
•
5 min read
President Donald Trump speaks as reporters raise their hands to ask questions, Friday, June 27, 2025, in the briefing room of the White House in Washington.
President Donald Trump speaks as reporters raise their hands to ask questions, June 27, 2025, in the briefing room of the White House in Washington. The Senate parliamentarian has rejected a slew of provisions in what's known as Trump's Big Beautiful Bill, including one for a nationwide private school choice program.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
School Choice & Charters Federal Private School Choice Proposal Hits a Roadblock. Will Congress Persist?
Including tax-credit scholarships in Trump's tax cut package violates Senate rules.
Mark Lieberman, June 27, 2025
•
5 min read
Demonstrators demand the Supreme Court uphold the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which grants citizenship to all individuals born within the country's borders, in Washington, D.C., U.S., on May 15, 2025. The Court heard oral arguments on a temporary injunction in CASA v. Trump prohibiting the administration from enforcing his executive order revoking birthright citizenship while the case makes its way through the judicial system.
Demonstrators demand that the Supreme Court uphold the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which grants citizenship to all individuals born within the country's borders, in Washington, D.C., U.S., on May 15, 2025. The high court on June 27, 2025, allowed the Trump administration to largely implement President Donald Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship for children born to undocumented immigrant parents.
Allison Bailey/NurPhoto via AP
Law & Courts Supreme Court Limits Nationwide Injunctions. Why That Matters for Education
The Supreme Court curtailed the power of federal courts to issue broad injunctions blocking policies, which may be relevant for education.
Mark Walsh, June 27, 2025
•
5 min read
The computer lab is adjacent to the multi-purpose room with the Wifi dead spot on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020 in Greensboro, N.C.
The computer lab is adjacent to the multi-purpose room with the Wifi dead spot on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Greensboro, N.C. The U.S. Supreme Court on June 27, 2025, upheld the federal government’s long-running program that helps provide low-cost internet services to public institutions such as schools and libraries.
Abby Gibbs/The News&Record via AP
Law & Courts Supreme Court Upholds School E-Rate Program
The justices weighed a constitutional challenge to the funding mechanism for the $4 billion E-rate program for school internet projects.
Mark Walsh, June 27, 2025
•
5 min read
Demonstrators are seen outside the Supreme Court as oral arguments were heard in Mahmoud v. Taylor on April 22, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The case contends that forcing students to participate in LGBTQ+ learning material violates First Amendment rights to exercise religious beliefs.
Demonstrators stand outside the Supreme Court as oral arguments are heard in <i>Mahmoud</i> v. <i>Taylor</i> on April 22, 2025, in Washington. The case contends that forcing students to be exposed to LGBTQ+ curricular material violates parents' First Amendment rights to exercise their religious beliefs.
Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP Images
Law & Courts Supreme Court Sides With Parents in LGBTQ+ Curriculum Opt-Out Case
The justices ruled in a case on whether parents with religious objections may excuse their children from some curriculum materials.
Mark Walsh, June 27, 2025
•
7 min read
People walk past the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., on June 25, 2025.
People walk past the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., on June 25. The court on June 27 is expected to issue the last merits rulings of the term, including in several pending education cases.
Aaron Schwartz/Sipa via AP Images
Law & Courts Supreme Court to Rule on Major K-12 Education Cases Friday
The U.S. Supreme Court will issue its last opinions of the term, including on religious parents opting their children out of the curriculum
Mark Walsh, June 26, 2025
•
4 min read
Law, politics and eco balance concept. 3d rendering of scale icon on fresh spring meadow with blue sky in background.
iStock/Getty
Law & Courts School Restrooms, LGBTQ+ Curriculum, Disability Rights: A Spring Legal Roundup
Courts weighed in this spring on transgender rights, disability access, and parent opt-outs.
Mark Walsh, June 20, 2025
•
11 min read
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry speaks alongside Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill during a press conference regarding the Ten Commandments in schools Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, in Baton Rouge, La. Murrill announced on Monday that she is filing a brief in federal court asking a judge to dismiss a lawsuit seeking to overturn the state’s new law requiring that the Ten Commandments be displayed in every public school classroom.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry speaks alongside Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill during a press conference on a law requiring the Ten Commandments be displayed in schools on Aug. 5, 2024, in Baton Rouge, La. A federal appeals court on June 20 upheld an injunction blocking the law from taking effect.
Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate via AP
Law & Courts Federal Appeals Court Upholds Block on Louisiana Ten Commandments Display Law
Louisiana's law requiring the Ten Commandments in every classroom likely violates the First Amendment, a federal appeals court ruled.
Mark Walsh, June 20, 2025
•
3 min read
Demonstrators gather to protest outside of the offices of the U.S. Department of Education in Washington on March 21, 2025 after President Trump signed an executive order to shut down the government agency.
Demonstrators gather to protest outside of the offices of the U.S. Department of Education in Washington on March 21, 2025, after President Donald Trump signed an executive order aiming to shut down the government agency. A federal judge on Wednesday ordered the Trump administration to restore staffers to the department's office for civil rights, which enforces anti-discrimination laws in the nation's schools.
Bryan Dozier/NurPhoto via AP
Law & Courts Court Again Tells Trump Admin. to Restore Laid-Off Ed. Dept. Staffers
The judge was ruling in a case that challenged staff cuts and office closures at the Education Department's office for civil rights
Matthew Stone, June 19, 2025
•
5 min read
Nate, 14, left, and Bird, 9, right, whose parents asked not to use their last names, hold signs and transgender pride flags as supporters of transgender rights rally by the Supreme Court on Dec. 4, 2024, in Washington.
Nate, 14, left, and Bird, 9, right, whose parents asked not to use their last names, hold signs and transgender pride flags as supporters of transgender rights rally by the Supreme Court on Dec. 4, 2024, in Washington. The high court on June 18, 2025, upheld a Tennessee law banning certain gender-transition treatments for minors.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Law & Courts Supreme Court Ruling May Redefine Transgender Rights in Schools
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a case about puberty blockers and hormone treatments that holds implications for transgender students.
Mark Walsh, June 18, 2025
•
6 min read
Tight cropped photograph of hands flipping pages in their Bibles.
iStock/Getty
States Christianity Is Ramping Up in Public Schools. Where Is This Headed?
A wave of measures infusing religion in public schools isn't letting up, with an agreeable U.S. Supreme Court and executive branch.
Brooke Schultz, June 17, 2025
•
5 min read
Load More ▼