Legal / Courts

Can colleges enforce rules designed to prevent coronavirus spread?

Schools are asking students and staff to adopt new behaviors and practices on campus, but it's not clear what they can do if people don't comply.

By Lorelei Laird • July 09, 2020

Despite Espinoza decision's 'seismic shock' to public schools, context may vary by state

Tuesday’s Supreme Court ruling allows states to enact choice programs that include religious options, but it may not fully clear the path for them due to the specifics of state constitutions.

By Linda Jacobson • June 30, 2020

Supreme Court: Public money can be used for religious education

Writing for the majority in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, Chief Justice John Roberts said no "historic and substantial" tradition supports disqualifying religious schools from government aid.

By Linda Jacobson • June 30, 2020

Supreme Court's DACA decision protects thousands of educators, students

However, the ruling leaves a pass for the Trump administration to attempt to end the program once more.

By Naaz Modan , Hallie Busta • June 18, 2020

Supreme Court signals willingness to consider bathroom rights in LGBT job discrimination ruling

In a 2018 NPR Ed survey of 79 transgender and gender-nonconforming teachers, 56% reported facing harassment or discrimination at work. 

By Roger Riddell • June 15, 2020

Chicago Teachers Union sues district, Ed Dept over special ed requirements

Chicago Public Schools and the U.S. Department of Education contend the district's special ed teachers want to cut corners.

By Naaz Modan • May 21, 2020

Title IX rules leave door open for schools to 'pass the trash'

While the Ed Department said it intends to curb the practice, legal experts suggest language in new regulations could feed into it.

By Naaz Modan • UPDATED: May 11, 2020 at 9:25 a.m.

AASA: New Title IX rules make administrators' jobs 'more challenging'

The Education Department on Wednesday released updated Title IX rules that increase K-12 schools' responsibilities for reporting and investigating sexual harassment and assault claims. 

By Naaz Modan • May 07, 2020

Plaintiffs in two right-to-education cases celebrate 6th circuit court ruling

Those involved in a Rhode Island case will be watching whether Michigan defendants settle, ask for a full review of the decision or appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

By Linda Jacobson • April 27, 2020

Settlement reached in Detroit right-to-literacy case

The settlement follows last week's call by the state legislature for a full Sixth Circuit review and is said to resolve "all of plaintiffs’ claims against all defendants, and thus fully resolves this matter."

By Linda Jacobson • UPDATED: May 14, 2020 at 6:45 a.m.

Deep Dive

The Ed Dept is leaning on mediation to clear backlog of sexual violence cases, sources say

Its push comes as the laws and regulations around Title IX shift, creating a complicated oversight landscape.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • March 05, 2020

A new state bill could challenge key interstate distance learning pact

Maryland legislation may test the limits of new federal state authorization rules and an agreement that lets colleges offer online programs out-of-state.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • March 04, 2020

Can colleges keep up as Title IX guidance shifts and splinters?

Challenges over the sex discrimination law have had colleges constantly reworking their policies, and more could turn to outside help.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Feb. 19, 2020

Lawsuit against Connecticut school boards claims transgender student athletes are 'displacing girls'

In other recent cases, like Gavin Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board, lower courts have sided in favor of protecting transgender students' rights under Title IX.

By Naaz Modan • Feb. 13, 2020

Supreme Court hears case questioning public funding of religious schools

As justices heard oral arguments Wednesday in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, educators voiced concerns that the ruling could "undermine" public education funding.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 22, 2020

Supreme Court to hear case educators worry could 'destabilize public schools'

Among top concerns is that a decision in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue could “siphon off" already scarce public funds.

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 21, 2020

MIT officials accepted Jeffrey Epstein's donations knowing his sex offender status, probe finds

Law firm Goodwin Procter released a report earlier this month about the relationship, but a professor it calls out has since pushed back on the findings.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • UPDATED: Jan. 21, 2020 at 4:31 p.m.

District judge temporarily blocks Texas takeover of Houston ISD

​The preliminary injunction hampers the state's plan to replace the HISD school board with a board of managers and prevents the state from intervening in underperforming schools. 

By Naaz Modan • Jan. 09, 2020

Dream Center lawsuit can proceed, federal judge rules

The decision is a critical step toward the discovery process, which the judge wrote will be key "to untangle the apparent web" of entities in the case.

By Hallie Busta • Jan. 08, 2020

These court cases could shift the K-12 landscape in 2020

From a dispute over Houston ISD's state takeover to allowing transgender students to access bathrooms of their choice, these cases stand to significantly impact public education. 

By Naaz Modan • Dec. 19, 2019

College leaders walk a thinning legal tightrope on free speech

Indiana University's provost denounced a professor's problematic views, showing how higher ed must balance civil liberties and inclusivity.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Dec. 09, 2019

Rhode Island student: 'I don't have civics education'

A lead attorney in the Cook v. Raimondo right-to-education case described Thursday's oral arguments as a lively dialogue before a sharp judge.

By Linda Jacobson • Dec. 06, 2019

Transgender students are 'winning in the courts,' require accommodation

While several lawsuits are pending, lawyers say an "overwhelming" consensus among the lower courts thus far suggests schools must protect transgender and nonbinary students' rights. 

By Naaz Modan • Dec. 06, 2019

Rhode Island right-to-education lawsuit to be heard in federal court

An attorney for the plaintiffs says the case could have an "electric effect" on public schools if it ultimately makes it to the U.S. Supreme Court.

By Linda Jacobson • Dec. 04, 2019

Supreme Court DACA case: Thousands of educators' livelihoods on the line

With SCOTUS deliberations starting Tuesday on President Donald Trump's rescission of the program, experts say ending DACA could have a "chilling effect" on K-12 students and educators. 

By Naaz Modan • Nov. 12, 2019