On April 6, the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released its much-anticipated proposed Title IX rule on the eligibility of students for participation in athletic programs based on their gender identity....more
4/17/2023
/ Biden Administration ,
Department of Education ,
Education Reform ,
Educational Institutions ,
Federal Funding ,
Gender Discrimination ,
Gender Identity ,
OCR ,
Proposed Rules ,
Public Schools ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Sports ,
Student Athletes ,
Students ,
Title IX ,
Transgender
Governor Pritzker has ordered a vaccine mandate for all teachers and staff at pre-K-12 schools, as well as students and personnel at higher education institutions. Under the Executive Order, all pre-K-12 school personnel must...more
8/30/2021
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Critical Infrastructure Sectors ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employer Mandates ,
Essential Workers ,
Executive Orders ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
ISBE ,
Private Schools ,
Public Health Emergency ,
Public Schools ,
State Contractors ,
Vaccinations ,
Virus Testing ,
Workplace Safety
Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its first opinion addressing a public school’s ability to discipline a student for off-campus, online speech. The 8-1 majority opinion in Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L., authored...more
A recent OCR decision out of Wyoming is a reminder to school districts of their Child Find obligations—including during remote instruction. In Teton County School District, Wyoming, OCR found in favor of the school district...more
While much of the talk about Biden’s education agenda has quickly turned to who he will appoint to replace Betsy DeVos and how he will manage the COVID-19 pandemic, both critical issues for sure, we wanted to highlight...more
11/12/2020
/ Biden Administration ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Disabled Children ,
Federal Funding ,
IDEA ,
Infectious Diseases ,
OCR ,
Policy Drafting ,
Political Appointments ,
Public Schools ,
Restraints ,
Special Education ,
Students
OCR recently published a Q&A document providing expectations for compliance with civil rights laws during the pandemic. While OCR is not responsible for enforcing the IDEA, it is responsible for Section 504. Because students...more
10/5/2020
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Disability Discrimination ,
Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) ,
IDEA ,
Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) ,
Infectious Diseases ,
OCR ,
Public Schools ,
Quarantine ,
Remote Learning ,
Section 504 ,
Special Education
On February 14, 2020, ISBE issued notice that it will no longer provide reimbursement for students placed at non-approved special education facilities, even if the placement is ordered by a hearing officer. In a brief...more
Our Partner Jennifer Smith asked an important question during the Legislative Update session yesterday at IAASE’s 2019 Fall Conference: What can Illinois special education teachers and administrators do to help ensure that...more
In an opinion issued last week, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals decided in favor of a transgender student who challenged his high school’s decision to limit his access to boys’ communal bathrooms. ...more
6/9/2017
/ Department of Education ,
Educational Institutions ,
Equal Protection ,
Gender Identity ,
LGBTQ ,
Public Schools ,
Restroom Legislation ,
School Restrooms ,
Sex Discrimination ,
Students ,
Title IX ,
Transgender
The wait for a final resolution of the legal issues surrounding transgender students will be extended as the result of a decision yesterday by the United State Supreme Court in the landmark case, Gloucester County School Bd....more
3/8/2017
/ Dear Colleague Letter ,
Department of Education ,
Gender Identity ,
Gloucester County School Board v G.G. ,
LGBTQ ,
Public Schools ,
Remand ,
School Restrooms ,
SCOTUS ,
Sex Discrimination ,
Title IX ,
Transgender ,
Trump Administration
On Friday, the Trump administration signaled that it will not defend the guidance given by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Education (DOE) last May on transgender students’ rights under Title IX of the...more
2/13/2017
/ Department of Education ,
Department of Justice (DOJ) ,
Discrimination ,
Educational Institutions ,
Gloucester County School Board v G.G. ,
LGBTQ ,
Public Schools ,
School Restrooms ,
SCOTUS ,
Sexual Orientation ,
Sexual Orientation Discrimination ,
Title IX ,
Transgender ,
Trump Administration
Two new laws require school districts and charter schools to reconsider their approach to bullying. The first new bullying law requires school boards and charter schools to make extensive revisions to their bullying policies....more