Archive for the ‘Education Law’ Category

Social media is one of the fastest ways to deliver information to a large group of people. Occasionally on social media, it is common to “block” people so that you do not have to see their posts and vice versa. However, when a public official blocks someone and prevents them from receiving information—is this a violation of their First Amendment rights? This November the Supreme Court must determine if public officials engaging in “state action” are constitutionally permitted to block certain parents from their social media accounts used to promote school policies and provide general information to others[1]. Depending on… read more »

In a 786-page decision issued on February 7, 2023, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ruled that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed. The case William Penn School District et al. v. Pennsylvania Department of Education et al. was filed against the Pennsylvania Department of Education, state legislative leaders, state education officials, and the governor (collectively, the “Defendants”) in 2014 by six Pennsylvania school districts, four parents of minor children, the Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People – Pennsylvania State Conference (collectively, the “Plaintiffs”). The Plaintiffs claimed… read more »

In 1997 the Pennsylvania legislature passed the Pennsylvania Charter School Law, and charter schools were established. Forty-six states have a charter school law, and charter schools have become a major factor in public education. This article will answer some basic questions about charters. According to the National Alliance of Public Charter Schools, as of the spring of 2022, there are roughly 7,700 schools and campuses serving more than 3.4 million students across the U.S. Pennsylvania has almost 200 charter schools that serve about 1 75,000 students. There are two basic structures. First, a charter school can be located in a… read more »

On November 29, President Biden, through the U.S. Department of Energy, announced that applications are open for the Renew America’s Schools grant program. This first-of-its-kind investment will enable K-12 public schools to make clean energy improvements and upgrades that will lower energy costs and foster healthier learning environments. The grant provides a total of $500 million in funding. The first round of grants will provide up to $80 million for schools to install energy efficient lighting and HVAC systems, improve the insulation of their facilities, switch to electric vehicles, and convert facilities to renewable energy sources such as solar and… read more »

*DISCLAIMER: This article is intended to share factual information and is not intended to reflect the author’s or CGA Law Firm’s stance or opinion on Student Loan Relief. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. You should only accept legal advice from a licensed attorney with whom you have an attorney-client relationship.             On Wednesday, August 24, 2022, President Biden announced another step in his student loan forgiveness plan wherein qualified borrowers will see $10,000 to $20,000 in student loan debt cancellation. Whether… read more »

On June 23, 2022, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the U.S. Department of Education released its proposed changes to the existing regulations, inviting public comment. The proposed rule is the result of a comprehensive review of Title IX regulations that began in March 2021.  The proposed changes to the regulations include, but are not limited to, the following: Protection for students and employees from all forms of sex discrimination and sex-based harassment. Protection for the right of parents/guardians to support their children. Requirement that schools take swift action to end any sex discrimination and prevent its recurrence…. read more »

Department of Education published the final version of the Title IX regulations On May 6, 2020, the Department of Education published the final version of the Title IX regulations. The final regulations specify how schools, colleges, and other Federally funded institutions must respond going forward to allegations of sexual harassment. These regulations require sexual harassment in education programs or activities to be addressed as a form of sex discrimination. The schools must respond supportively and promptly to anyone claiming to be sexually harassed, resolve allegations of sexual harassment promptly and accurately with due process protections to alleged sexual harrassment victims… read more »

Article by: Sean A. Fields On November 8, in the case of Mt. Lebanon School District v. J.S., the Commonwealth Court reversed a hearing officer’s decision that would have required a school district that does not provide bus transportation to students to transport a gifted student from his middle school to a high school to attend a geometry class. As a “walking” school district that does not provide transportation for students without disabilities, the School Code does not require the district to provide transportation to a gifted student; Section 1374 of the School Code provides that the district “may” provide free transportation to… read more »

Article by: Leanne M. Miller Article V of the School Code (addressing “Duties and Powers of Boards of School Directors”) requires every school district to “establish, equip, furnish, and maintain a sufficient number of elementary public schools, in compliance with the provisions of this act, to educate every person, residing in such district, between the ages of six and twenty-one years, who may attend.” 24 P.S. § 5–501(a). The same article makes clear that school districts are not required to establish kindergarten programs, although they may do so as a matter of discretion, and if a district establishes such a… read more »