The School Law Blog

Court Weighs District's Ban on Political T-Shirts

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:09:23 -0500

A federal appeals court heard arguments yesterday in a case involving a school district's restrictions on political messages on students' clothing. The case involves a student who was barred from wearing a T-shirt that said "John Edwards '08" to school...

Education and the Supreme Court: The 2008-09 Term

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:25:31 -0500

A roundup of the outcome of key decisions of interest schools and educators.

Justices Order New Review of 2nd Strip-Search Case

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:21:41 -0500

In light of the Supreme Court's decision in a similar case, the justices return a strip-search case to a lower court.

The Firefighters' Case and the Schools

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:37:48 -0500

What are the lessons for schools and school employees in the decision today in favor of white and Hispanic firefighters in New Haven?

Justices Decline Appeal From High School Christian Club

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:17:13 -0500

The action came on a busy last day of the term for the justices.

Supreme Court Rules in Firefighters' Case Involving Race

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:25:00 -0500

By guest blogger Erik Robelen The U.S. Supreme Court today ruled in a high-profile case on the race-conscious actions of government, finding by a vote of 5-4 that the city of New Haven, Conn., erred in refusing to recognize...

Roberts on the Supreme Court's Role in School Law

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 13:09:00 -0500

If school administrators are going to get all their guidance on education law issues from the Supreme Court, they're "going to have a lot of difficulties," says Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.

Analysis: Complex Arizona ELL Case Holds National Lessons

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:33:59 -0500

The Arizona case is highly complex and quirky, but it holds important implications for other states and for educators across the nation.

Analysis: Strip-Search Decision Adds Clarity for Students and Schools

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:09:27 -0500

The court rules with a surprising degree of unanimity.

Supreme Court Rules in Strip-Search, English-Learner Cases

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:18:00 -0500

School authorities violated a teenager's rights by strip-searching her, but can't be sued in this instance. And in a separate case, the court sided with Arizona's schools chief, who was challenging an order to provide adequate funding for ELLs.

Education Week on Forest Grove School District v. T.A.

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:14:56 -0500

The justices will next convene on Thursday, June 25, to issue decisions on Flores and Sanford.

Supreme Court Backs Family in Special Education Case

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:42:57 -0500

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled today that the main federal special education law authorizes reimbursement for private school tuition under the proper circumstances, even when a child has never previously received special education services in a public school. The court's...

Supreme Court Backs Employers in ADEA Ruling

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:32:46 -0500

The U.S. Supreme Court today made it more difficult for workers to win age-discrimination claims, in a case being watched by at least one major education group.

Court Backs 'Consent' Defense in Teacher Sex Case

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:22:15 -0500

A teacher convicted of having sex with a 16-year-old student should have been allowed to raise the defense that the relationship was consensual, the Georgia Supreme Court has ruled.

Education Decisions Await as High Court Term Nears End

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:46:58 -0500

The U.S. Supreme Court today entered what are likely to be the final two weeks of its 2008-09 term without issuing any rulings in three important education cases pending before the justices.