Education Law

Education news, analysis, and opinion about important court cases dealing with education
Law & Courts Ark. Governor Wants New K-12 Boss, But State Must First Change Rules
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson,a Republican, wants an ex-legislator to lead the state's public schools, but the governor needs a change to state law first.
Andrew Ujifusa, March 3, 2015
2 min read
Families & the Community New Report Details State Testing Opt-Out Laws, Policies
Most state laws and policies offer little clarity for parents regarding their opt-out rights, according to a new Education Commission of the States report.
Karla Scoon Reid, February 27, 2015
1 min read
Federal Federal Judge Rules Gov. Jindal's Common-Core Lawsuit Can Proceed
U.S. District Court Judge Shelly D. Dick ruled that Jindal proved to the court's satisfaction that he had a right to sue the federal government over the common core.
Andrew Ujifusa, February 26, 2015
1 min read
Law & Courts Missouri Judge: Smarter Balanced Consortium is 'Unlawful Interstate Compact'
A Missouri judge wrote that the federally funded testing consortium, which developed tests aligned to Common Core State Standards, was never authorized by the U.S. Congress.
Andrew Ujifusa, February 26, 2015
1 min read
Curriculum 'Harmful Materials' Bill Targeting Teacher Protections Passes Kan. Senate
A bill that would allow teachers to be prosecuted for providing "harmful materials" to minors has been passed by the Kansas Senate.
Jordan Moeny, February 26, 2015
1 min read
Law & Courts Supreme Court to Hear Case on Abuse Reporting
The case before the high court asks whether teachers' duty to report suspected child abuse makes them adjuncts of law enforcement when it comes to prosecution.
Mark Walsh, February 24, 2015
9 min read
Law & Courts Educators' Views Vary in Dispute Over Health Care Law
The U.S. Supreme Court to hear the latest challenge to the Affordable Care Act, involving subsidies to those in states without their own health-care insurance marketplaces.
Mark Walsh, February 24, 2015
4 min read
Law & Courts Local Board Rejects 'Parent Trigger' Petition at California School
The Anaheim City School Board says parent-trigger advocates must collect more signatures to transform a low-performing elementary school into a charter.
Karla Scoon Reid, February 21, 2015
2 min read
Law & Courts Hanna Skandera Confirmed as New Mexico K-12 Chief After Four Years in Limbo
Skandera was picked to be the top K-12 official in New Mexico in 2011, but until this week her nomination had stalled even as she performed the duties of the office.
Andrew Ujifusa, February 17, 2015
2 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
iStockphoto
Law & Courts Opinion Don't Silence Young Journalists
How schools treat young journalists matters because the future of journalism is precarious, writes Frank LoMonte of the Student Press Law Center.
Frank D. Lomonte, February 17, 2015
6 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
Brent Greenwood for Education Week; image text from Winona Daily Republican, 1863
Student Well-Being & Movement Opinion My High School Mascot Is Offensive
Under fire from officials in her Pennsylvania school district, student newspaper editor Gillian McGoldrick defends her stance against publishing the name of an offensive mascot.
Gillian McGoldrick, February 17, 2015
5 min read
Law & Courts West Virginia Bill Would Add Parent Members to State Board of Education
West Virginia's governor may have to appoint parents of public school students to the state's Board of Education under legislation being considered by lawmakers.
Karla Scoon Reid, February 13, 2015
1 min read
Curriculum Kan. Bill Would Remove Legal Protections for Teaching Controversial Materials
A bill under consideration by the Kansas Senate would remove an exemption protecting teachers from prosecution for providing "harmful" materials to minors.
Jordan Moeny, February 5, 2015
2 min read
Law & Courts Teachers Draw Lots to Keep Jobs After District Cuts Position
In a process marred by numerous problems, five first-year teachers in a West Virginia district had to pick numbers from a box to determine which of them would be laid off.
Anthony Rebora, February 4, 2015
3 min read