Legal Digest Blog Archive
-- North Texas School District Asks Mom to Prove Her Child is Jewish
Dismissal Of Suit By School District Police Officers Upheld On Appeal
EEOC Boasts Heightened Enforcement Of Workplace Harassment Laws
TEA Issues Police Interaction Curriculum
Texas Attorney General Seeks To Intervene In Student Pledge Case
Legal Digest to Become ED311!
Appeals Court Hears Argument In Case Regarding Special Education Spending In Texas
Arrest Of Middle School Students Violated The Fourth Amendment
School Reevaluating Dress Code after Suspending Male Student for Makeup
FBI releases advisory concerning risks to students using education technologies
Commissioner Issues Rules On Handling Unauthorized Persons On Campus
TEA Names Justin Porter to Special Education Director
Back-to-School Protest Podcast from Amicus
The Disabled Student Failed To Prove Discrimination By The District
Federal Court Upholds Law Allowing Professors to Carry Guns at School
Teacher Assaulted By Student Did Not State Constitutional Violation
Exhaustion Was Required In Suit Alleging Breach Of The Administrator’s Non-Chapter 21 Employment Contract
One Minute Music Video for Restorative Practices!
Texas Attorney General Sends Letter To Fort Worth ISD Demanding Human Sexuality Curriculum
Following Santa Fe Shootings, TX Governor Announces School Safety Measures
Can School Board Members Block Citizens From Posting On Their Social Media Accounts?
Dallas-Area Teacher Sues District for LGBTQ Discrimination
What “due process” was Required for the Termination of MS Superintendent?
Can Parents Sue The Commissioner Over The STAAR Exam?
Focus on Early STEM Education: Resources You Can Use
TEA completes work on comprehensive strategic action plan for special education
Honoring the Life of Toody Byrd during the 2018 SPED Law Conference
Trump Administration Closes Texas Civil Rights Probe
TX School Administrators Expect to Need More Funding for SPED Spikes
College District Employee Allowed To Proceed With Disability Discrimination & Retaliation Suit
US Supreme Court Declines Hearing of Transgender Bathroom Case
Supreme Court Lets Stand The Dismissal Of A Teacher’s First Amendment Suit
The Career- and Life-Altering Implications of Senate Bill 7: Why Your District and Staff Must Care
Parent Requests To View School Video: What Are Their Rights?
TEA posts draft strategic plan for special education
Legal Digest Goes to SXSWEdu!
Meet Our SEL Workshop Presenters, Hilary Simon and Jason Littlefield!
Policies Prohibiting Teacher And Student Protests Found Unconstitutional
Speaking Engagements from Ed311 Author Padmaja Sarathy
Department of Education Will No Longer Investigate Transgender Restroom Complaints
LaVernia ISD Faces Two Sexual Assualt Lawsuits
Court Finds Track Athlete’s Accommodation Requests Were Unreasonable
Rave Reviews for Prof. David Thompson’s Ethics Workshops!
Appeals Court Affirms Dismissal Of First Amendment Suit By School Nurse
Ed311 Author Dr. Gaye Lang to Present at NAAAS National Conference
Court of Appeals Upholds Dismissal Of Teacher’s Suit Alleging Constitutional Violations
Texas Federal Court Dismisses Student Sexual Harassment Suit
US Department of Education finds TEA liable for Special Education cap
Governor Declares January As School Board Recognition Month
TEA Statement Regarding Gov. Abbott’s Directive on Special Ed in Texas
Federal Court Enters Order Allowing School Players To Kneel During National Anthem
Educator Ethics Interview with Professor David Thompson
25750
TEA SPED Review, Personnel Under Fire
Watch the Video from our TEXRP Conference!
Supreme Court Won’t Take Up Case on Prayer at School Board Meetings
Appeals Court Upholds Dismissal Of Suit By 29 District Employees For Political Retaliation
Registration Open for 2018 Special Education Law Conference!
5 Mindfulness Resources for Educators
Student Enrollment in TX Special Education Programs Jumps
District Not Liable For Student Sexual Assault By Principal
School Administrators Hit by Harvey Ask Legislative Panel for Break on Testing
Good Times at the Texas Restorative Discipline Practices Conference!
Hurricane Harvey Instructional Materials Assistance from Texas Education Agency
Houston School District Photoshops Homecoming Queen’s Hair, Issues Apology
Court Holds Lawsuit Alleging Injuries During Athletics Subject To Dismissal
Houston Student Suing School Over Expulsion for Refusing to Stand for the Pledge
What to Know about “Bring Your Bible to School Day”
US Supreme Court Declines Review on Special Education Cases
Back to School Attendees Name Willie Nelson, Don Henley Among TX Heroes
New Law Bans Sex Offenders from Living in College Dorms
Fall 2017 Catalog from Ed311
Is Your District Adopting the New Rules for Seat Belts on School Buses?
How to Help Texas School Districts Recover from Hurricane Harvey
Ten Texas Teachers Named Finalists for 2017 Presidential Awards in Math and Science
New Legislation To Curb Lice Outbreaks Among Elementary Students
Legal Digest Announces Donation to Donor’s Choose Hurricane Harvey Fund
US DOE Webinar: Helping Schools and Families Recover from Harvey
Local Teachers Help Houston Families Salvage Homes
Court Denies Football Coach Request To Kneel And Pray After Games
Be Prepared for Harvey’s Impact In Your School District
Ways to Help During Hurricane Harvey
School Officials Mulling Over New Seat Belt Law
UT Officials Remove Confederate Statues in the Middle of the Night
Bathroom Bill Dies in Special Session
Restorative Discipline Practices Author Visits South Africa
David’s Law Combats Bullying in Schools
New Video on the TEXRP Conference
SB7 Increases Penalties for Teacher/Student Relationships
Bathroom Bill highlights difficulties changing birth certificates
New Law Limits Suspensions for Young Students
NSBA Issues New Guide to Serving Undocumented Students
Law School Association Boycotts Texas Over Bathroom, Sanctuary Bills
Court Sides With Transgender Student Allowing Him To Use Boys’ Restroom At School
Summer Beach Reads from Ed311 & Legal Digest!
Recap of the TX 85th Legislative Session
Governor Signs Bill with Stiffer Penalties for Inappropriate Educator-Student Relationships
Trial Court Holds Suit By Muslim Student Who Brought Homemade Clock To School Failed To State Viable Claims; Court Allows Opportunity To Restate Claims
Texas lawmakers pass controversial ‘bathroom bill’
Texas Senate Passes Bill to Increase Access to Virtual Charter Schools
Trial Court Allows Case To Proceed Against Bus Monitor For Alleged Assault; Dismisses Claims Against The School District
TEA Commissioner Announces New Resources Supporting Educational Needs of Students in Foster Care
Texas Passes Bill to Crack Down on Inappropriate Student-Teacher Relationships
Special Education 2.0 Author Proposes New Law
Teacher Associations Settle Lawsuit Over State’s Teacher Evaluation System
Student Not Subjected to Title IX Peer Harassment, According to Appeals Court
Special Education 2.0 Author Miriam Freedman to speak at Fordham Institute
Seven Year Old Transgender Girl Planned to Testify Against TX Bathroom Bill
A Tough Cop Learns to Build Relationships: RDP Author Robert Rico Interview
Changing Course, the Seventh Circuit Holds that Sexual Orientation Discrimination Can Give Rise to a Title Vii Employment Discrimination Claim
Author of Special Education 2.0 weighs in on IDEA Supreme Court Ruling
Houston ISD to pay $300K for audit of special education
House Committee to take up new transgender bathroom bill this week
Texas Senate Passes Bill to Provide Subsidies for Private Education
Ruling from Supreme Court on Special Education Case
Living in Gray: Kevin Curtis’ Journey with Restorative Practices
Lawsuit Alleged Sufficient Facts for Student to Pursue Negligence Claims Against the District
Parent’s Special Education Lawsuit Dismissed for Failure to Pursue a Due Process Hearing
Another “Bathroom Bill” is on the Table in Texas this Legislative Session
The Texas Attorney General Calls for Religious Equality in the Use of a Frisco ISD Prayer Room; Frisco ISD Superintendent Responds
SXSW Edu 2017: The Week in Review
Making Wrongs Right: Eloise Sepeda’s Journey in Implementation with Restorative Practices
Pennsylvania Judge Issues Injunction in Transgender Student Case
Getting to the Root of the Conflict: Interview with Spec Ed Teacher & Co-author of Restorative Discipline Practices
Court Finds No Disability Discrimination or Retaliation Stemming from the Counselor’s Termination
Supreme Court Backs Family in Case on Denial of Service Dog in School
Departments of Education and Justice Withdraw Transgender Guidance Letters
District Did Not Violate Transfer Student’s Due Process Rights; But Allowed an Equal Protection Claim to Proceed
Texas Lawmaker Files Bill to Expand Sex Education Requirements for Schools
Injunction Banning Transgender Students from Using Bathrooms Based on Gender Identity Will Likely Remain in Place
Court Finds No First Amendment Violation for Employee’s Criticism of the Board
Besty DeVos Confirmed by Senate
Registration for Restorative Practices Workshops at Dallas County Texserve Now Open
Do IDEA’s LRE Requirements Apply to Preschool Students with Disabilities?
Texas Judge Rules Schools Cannot Ban Teachers from Using Marijuana in States Where it’s Legal
New Book on Restorative Discipline Practices Now Available
Early Bird Registration for Principal’s Law Conference in June Now Open
New DOE and DOJ Resource on SRO-Related Policy and Practice
When and How Can Employee Leave Be Used as a Reasonable Accommodation Under the ADA?
EEOC Issues New Guidance to Help Employers Prevent National Origin Discrimination
Reflections on the Evolution of a Multi-Tiered System of Support (RtI)
“Bathroom Bill” Unveiled Today Targets School Bathroom Facilities
Choreographing Effective Paraeducator Role to Support Learners with Diverse Needs
U.S. Supreme Court to Decide What Level of Educational Benefit is Required Under the IDEA
Court Rejects First Amendment Suit Filed by Student Who Bullied Two Disabled Students Off Campus
First Amendment Speech – When School Employees Openly Support Election Candidates
The United States Supreme Court Will Take Up Transgender Student Case
District Required to Allow Transgender Student to Use Bathroom Based Upon Gender Identity
STAAR Testing Parody Video
District is Proactive in Preventing Bullying
Federal Court Allows Suit to Proceed Challenging School District Display of Ten Commandments
Q&A Discrimination Complaint
Department of Education Releases Detailed Guidance on Homeless Students and ESSA
$500 Checks for Everyone
Lesson Requiring Recitation of the Mexican Pledge Did Not Violate Student’s Rights
Texas Federal Court Enjoins Enforcement of DOE/DOJ Transgender Guidelines
Welcome Back School Meeting Interrupted by Les Miserables Flash Mob
Q&A Student Searches
Legal Developments on Serving Transgender Students
4 Things You Should Know About The Senate’s Overhaul Of No Child Left Behind
See Vaccine Exemptions in Texas by School District
Grievance Policies May Need Revision After Recent Commissioner Ruling
Four Cases for Educators to Watch in the New U.S. Supreme Court Term
Can Parents Homeschool Without School District Inquiry Or Supervision?
Registration for the Personnel Law Conference in December now open!
Early Bird Special Extended for the Fall Spec Ed Law Conference. Register Now!
It’s not too late to register for a Back to School Workshop near you!
US Dept of Ed’s guidance re unaccompanied minors
The Board and the Superintendent: Tact and Diplomacy Required
TEA offers graduation toolkit to students, parents, school counselors
New high school graduation mark set by Class of 2013
With Uncertainty, Texas Schools Brace for New Arrivals
Appeals court reinstates Joshua bullying suit
TEA launches federal grant flexibility initiative
Jim Walsh’s Back to School Special – 11 Locations across Texas!
Report: YISD declining enrollment to stabilize; Some schools underutilized
Register for the Fall Spec Ed Law Conference and get a huge discount through July!
Texas Attorney General’s Office Develops Human Trafficking Prevention Manual for Education Professionals
What Does Recent Supreme Court Decision Mean For School Board Prayer?
The Law Dawg Tour returns. Fall 2014, 11 Locations across Texas
Department of Education Offers Guidance Regarding School Compliance With Federal Civil Rights Laws
Texas Education Agency changes how it grades public schools
Kountze ISD Cheerleader Football Banner Case Held Moot
Prayer at City Board Meetings Did Not Violate The Establishment Clause
The “Candy Cane” Case Again Considered By The Fifth Circuit
Register on-site for the Special Ed Law Conference in Arlington tomorrow!
Arming School Officials Doesn’t Break Texas Law
Thousands Skip School On Texas District’s Make-Up Day
It’s not too late to register for the Special Ed Law Conference in Arlington!
Transgender teacher returns to Texas school
Was The Elementary Principal Entitled To Immunity From The Parent’s First Amendment Claims?
Did the School District Properly Reassign the Principal to an Assistant Principal Position?
School District Not Liable for Nazi-Jew ‘Role Playing’ Lesson
Last week to register for the Special Education Law Conference in New Braunfels!
Central Texas educators honored with awards
No consistency in school free-expression rulings
Texas improves school funding but still trails most states
Bullies beware: Groundbreaking ruling allows schools to sue students who harass peers
Don’t look now, but ‘Education Spring’ is arriving
Hot for Charter: Inside the Radical Play to Reinvent Dallas Schools
Last day to save $20 when you register for the Conference on Education Law for Principals
Texas Ed Commissioner approves trial for tablet use on 8th grade STAAR math test
U.S. Department of Education denies state’s double-testing waiver request
Don’t forget to register for the Special Education Law Conference in April – 2 locations!
Supreme Court Declines District’s Appeal in ‘Boobies’ Student-Speech Case
A Daughter’s Facebook Post Costs an Educator $80,000
Commissioner Decision May Have Wide Implications For School Districts
Appeals Court Finds No School District Liability In High-Profile Bullying Lawsuit
Save $20 when you register for the Conference on Education Law for Principals
E-cigarettes banned on Fort Worth school property
Kilgore ISD settles outing case
Free Speech Upends School Sexting Charges
Georgetown works to catch violators with cameras on buses
Save $20 when you register for the Conference on Education Law for Principals
States sued over education funding
Snow Days Give School Districts Headaches
Only 13 days left on early bird pricing for Special Education Law Conference – Register Today
School districts grapple with explicit Twitter accounts
SBOE gives final approval to new graduation program
Superintendent’s Termination Did Not Violate the First Amendment
Texas school districts ask judge to overturn funding system
Supreme Court to Take Up Public-Employee Speech, Cellphone Searches
Texas school finance case heads back to court
Supreme Court Declines Review in School Employment Cases
Only 5 days left of early bird pricing for TEPSA-Legal Digest School Law Workshop – Register Today!
COMMENTARY: Lawmakers should equitably fund Texas public schools
Dear Colleague Letter Addresses Discriminatory Practices In Student Discipline
Review finds about 240 parents banned from Corpus Christi ISD schools in past 6 years
Do English-Only Rules In The Workplace Violate Anti-Discrimination Laws?
Justices Reject Appeal Over Hot Lunch for Student With Diabetes
UPDATE: Texas school district removes suspension from record of gay student who tore pages from Bible
Court Upholds Firing of Counselor Who Wrote Sexually Explicit Advice Book
Statewide Superintendent Salary Survey Released
Equity, Testing Madness, and the Ongoing School Wars
La Feria shool district allows tuxedo picture
Law Center Threatens Lawsuit Against La Feria ISD Over Trans Teen
What To Do When Cyberbullying Spills Onto Your Campus
Teaching Students How To Post Responsibly
‘Boobies’ Bracelet Fight Could Go to Supreme Court
Who Is Allowed In Closed Session With The Board On A Grievance?
Texas school officials reject bullying charge over 91-0 football beatdown
Clarification Sought From Attorney General Over Use Of Concealed Handguns On School Campuses
Bullying Prevention Month
Texas debates whether to require Algebra II in all high school tracks
Texas merit pay plan for teachers quietly disappears
TEA Releases Draft Rules for HB 5 Graduation Plans
Tutoring Company in Texas Draws Fire as State Pulls Back Services
Texas public schools textbooks debate turns to evolution, climate change
Fight for equal funding of public schools: Q&A with Texas civil rights attorney David G. Hinojosa
In Spending $180 Million on Tutoring Help, Much Misuse
Texas free from some federal school rating rules
Tinker Tour Launches: Is this a good idea?
2 ex-West Texas school officials sentenced
The Growing Trend Of Monitoring Student Use Of Social Media
Education, Justice Depts. Issue Race Guidance After Fisher
Texas Secures Conditional Waiver
Battle for religious banners in Kountze heats up
Houston Independent School District receives grant from Consulate-General of Japan
The First Amendment Protects A School Employee’s Vocal Support Of A School Board Candidate
Senator Rodríguez calls for U.S. Department of Education to review student testing statewide
East Texas school officials hear state plan to improve ratings
SAISD & UIW Sign Letter Of Intent For Medical School
CSCOPE foe to speak Friday at hearing in Austin
Emergency buckets in Dumas ISD schools
YISD employees could pay thousands more in health insurance
Military School Districts Struggle To Survive Sequestration
Rachel’s Challenge: Start A Chain Reaction At Your School
The US Department of Education Denies Texas NCLB Waivers
Fight, shots at memorial for teen slain at school
CSCOPE tests posted online need rewriting
Texas Board of Education influence over textbooks wanes
Free school breakfast program to expand under new law
Major changes coming to school district funding, area legislators say
Austin-area administrator to lead El Paso ISD
Tech, health merge under $1.9M, 3-year federal grant in McAllen schools
Marshall Co. School District Sends $3M Bond Issue To Voters
Assault Leave Rules Put To The Test When Coach Was “Assaulted” But Not Entitled To Leave
Lawmaker Leading Call for Arming Teachers Accidentally Shot a Teacher
TEA reminds school districts of SB 1474 provisions
Student ticketing outlawed in schools
Hunt ISD teachers return to school with option to carry firearms
Most schools across Texas resume classes Monday
Central Texas school district reverses “dangerous” decision
Apollo 13 legend Kranz on hand for Texas City SmartLab announcement
McKinney ISD, police implement anonymous tip line
CSCOPE in the crosshairs
El Paso ISD closer to getting new superintendent
Can Disclosure Of Student Sexual Orientation Lead To Educator Liability?
Ark. district arming more than 20 teachers, staff
DISD Wants State School Districts To Avoid Hiring Quitting Teachers
Smart Implementation of Bullying Policy
School District Improperly Banned Breast Cancer Awareness Bracelets
5th Circuit Vacates Earlier Ruling In § 504 Peer Harassment Case
Early high school graduation programs gain traction
“Candy Cane Case” Update: Religious Freedom Law Requires Specific Notice Of Claims
Yet another turn in the Plano ISD’s “candy cane” case
‘Mark Of The Beast’ Gripe Helps End Student Locator Program
Bonuses vs. Raises: Comal ISD Weighing Pay Options for Teachers
Georgetown ISD changes drug-testing program’s punishment
Legal Digest Newsletter
Recent Blog Posts
Ed311 Online Store
Legal Digest Events
Texas School Business
Advertisers
Voting Rights Act § 4 Unconstitutional, According To The Supreme Court
University Affirmative Action Case Yet Unresolved By The Supreme Court
Alleged Disclosure Of Student’s Sexual Orientation Did Not Violate The Constitution
Texas Supreme Court: Union Representation Not Required During Investigatory Interviews
The Student Stated a Valid § 504 Claim Based On Peer Harassment
No District Liability For History Lesson On Persecution
Can School Districts Recognize “Domestic Partnerships” To Provide Employee Benefits?
Displaced West students go back to school following plant blast
Teacher groups fail bills tied to new evaluations
New Social Media Website “Ask.fm” Linked to Cyberbullying
Is Your School A “No Place For Hate” School?
Senate Education Committee Approves Bill to Pay for Firearms Training in Schools (Update)
Bill to tighten state control over curriculum advances
Potential school changes could mean less stress, tests
Grading Texas School Reform on an Old-Style Scale
House Budget OK Seems to Slam Door on School Vouchers
ACLU questions AISD’s plans for single-sex campuses
Texas Supreme Court Defines “Appropriate Law Enforcement Authority” Under the Whistleblower Act
School District Lawyer Receives Atticus Finch Award
STAAR tests begin this week amid uncertainty for 5th-, 8th-graders
Some Texas school districts use pay-later bonds
Superintendent’s column: What you need to know about House Bill 5
School District Deliberately Indifferent to Peer Harassment
Drug Sniff by Police Dog Is a Search, Supreme Court Rules
AISD Expands Health Insurance Benefits to Same-Sex Couples, Unmarried Domestic Partners
Key bills to be debated in the Texas House and Senate
Socorro ISD faces audit in Texas cheating scam
Texas education commissioner visits Premont ISD as he weighs closure decision
Fifth Circuit Allows § 504 Claim Based on Peer Harassment
Texas senators mull contentious sex education bill
Did Age Discrimination Motivate The Bus Driver’s Termination?
Though Errors Occurred, Fifth Circuit Rules That The Student Received FAPE
Federal Appellate Court Upholds Dismissal Of Student-On-Student Harassment Suit
Judge Upholds Northside ISD Student ID Badges With Tracking Chip
Probationary Employee Allowed To Appeal End-Of-Contract Termination
Student Stated Valid Claims Against School District Stemming from Her Alleged Off-Campus Sexual Assaults Based on “Special Relationship” Theory