Education Law

Education news, analysis, and opinion about important court cases dealing with education
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s courtroom chair is draped in black to mark his death. The vacancy has set off a political battle, and left the outcome of several cases in the balance.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s courtroom chair is draped in black to mark his death. The vacancy has set off a political battle, and left the outcome of several cases in the balance.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Law & Courts Scalia's Death Muddies Fate of Education Cases
The unexpected vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court comes with several disputes being closely watched by K-12 educators—including one involving union fees—still pending.
Mark Walsh, February 19, 2016
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10 min read
Law & Courts Kansas Supreme Court Strikes Down Stopgap Aid Formula
State lawmakers must scramble to come up with a formula that satisfies that the court finds equitable or risk not having schools open for the 2016-17 school year.
Daarel Burnette II, February 16, 2016
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3 min read
School & District Management Lumosity, Other Brain-Training Products Get Federal Scrutiny
The Federal Trade Commission is taking a closer look at the evidence behind "brain training" products designed to boost students' attention and working memory.
Sarah D. Sparks, February 9, 2016
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7 min read
Law & Courts Louisiana Governor, Attorney General Clash Over Common-Core Lawsuit
After Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards said he would drop the controversial, and expensive, lawsuit, the state's attorney general said it's not the governor's to drop.
Daarel Burnette II, February 9, 2016
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1 min read
Michael A. Carvin, the lawyer representing 10 California teachers who refuse to join the teachers' union, argues at the U.S. Supreme Court that the union should not be allowed to levy fees on non-members for collective bargaining.
Michael A. Carvin, the lawyer representing 10 California teachers who refuse to join the teachers' union, argues at the U.S. Supreme Court that the union should not be allowed to levy fees on non-members for collective bargaining.
Evan Vucci/AP
Law & Courts High Court Hearing in Fees Case Has Unions on Defensive
Conservative justices on the U.S. Supreme Court appear open to overruling a key precedent that lets public-employee unions collect fees from nonmembers for collective bargaining.
Mark Walsh, January 19, 2016
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6 min read
The Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association case goes before the U.S. Supreme Court on Jan. 11.
The <i>Friedrichs</i> v. <i>California Teachers Association</i> case goes before the U.S. Supreme Court on Jan. 11.
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
Law & Courts High Stakes in Union-Fee Case Before Supreme Court
Arguments this month will focus on whether to overturn a key precedent allowing unions to charge nonmembers for collective bargaining costs.
Mark Walsh, January 5, 2016
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8 min read
Students and other charter school advocates rally last month at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. The rally was held by "Act Now for Washington Students," with the goal of halting the closure of any charter schools that have already opened.
Students and other charter school advocates rally last month at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. The rally was held by "Act Now for Washington Students," with the goal of halting the closure of any charter schools that have already opened.
Rachel La Corte/AP
Law & Courts Wash. Court Ruling Could Be Roadmap to Charter Opponents in Other States
Charter schools in Washington state are fighting to stay open after the state supreme court ruled them unconstitutional, a decision that national advocates worry may lead to ramifications for charters in other states.
Arianna Prothero, December 17, 2015
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4 min read
Law & Courts Ariz. Governor Signs Deal to Settle K-12 Suit
A package of legislation aims to pump $3.5 billion into education in the next 10 years to settle a funding lawsuit, but the deal still needs voter approval in a special election.
The Associated Press, November 10, 2015
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3 min read
Lila Perry, second from left, a senior transgender student at Hillsboro High School in St. Louis, speaks with friends Gianna Warfel, left, Skyla Thompson and Hayley Reeves following a student walkout at the school held in both support and opposition to Perry’s request to use the girls’ bathrooms and locker rooms.
Lila Perry, second from left, a senior transgender student at Hillsboro High School in St. Louis, speaks with friends Gianna Warfel, left, Skyla Thompson and Hayley Reeves following a student walkout at the school held in both support and opposition to Perry’s request to use the girls’ bathrooms and locker rooms.
Robert Cohen/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/AP-File
Law & Courts School Districts Confront Transgender Student Policies
Recent disputes over schools' treatment of transgender students present complicated questions for educators.
Evie Blad, November 10, 2015
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7 min read
Acclaimed educator Rafe Esquith, who taught at Hobart Elementary in Los Angeles for 30 years, was fired this month after a district investigation for alleged misconduct.
Acclaimed educator Rafe Esquith, who taught at Hobart Elementary in Los Angeles for 30 years, was fired this month after a district investigation for alleged misconduct.
Beatrice de Gea/Los Angeles Times-File
Law & Courts In L.A., Tensions Rise Over Teacher-Misconduct Investigations
A high-profile lawsuit brought by renowned teacher Rafe Esquith highlights the Los Angeles district's process for investigating teachers accused of misconduct.
Stephen Sawchuk & Ross Brenneman, October 27, 2015
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7 min read
Federal Wash. State Schools Chief Randy Dorn Won't Seek Another Term
A former school teacher and state lawmaker, Dorn has been at the center of several interesting K-12 policy and political events in the Evergreen State.
Andrew Ujifusa, October 22, 2015
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1 min read
Law & Courts Report: Legendary L.A. Teacher Rafe Esquith Fired for Misconduct
The Los Angeles Board of Education has voted to fire renowned elementary school teacher Rafe Esquith amid allegations of misconduct, including that he inappropriately touched minors, according to the L.A. Times.
Elisha McNeil, October 15, 2015
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2 min read
Teaching Profession Trouble Keeping Track of Teacher Evaluation Lawsuits? We Do It for You
Some of the suits have been filed in state courts, other in federal courts, mainly on constitutional grounds that the systems violate equal-protection guarantees.
Stephen Sawchuk, October 14, 2015
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1 min read
Special Education Special Education Directors Brace for Fresh Guidance
The wave of federal documents is likely to continue in the coming months, lawyers who work on special education issues told those attending a conference in Baltimore.
Christina A. Samuels, October 13, 2015
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4 min read
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