In its recently adjourned session, the General Assembly passed two major bills regarding special education. Although the Governor has not yet signed these bills, we wanted to provide a brief and non-exhaustive overview of the...more
Generally, independent schools intentionally refrain from participating in the majority of federal funding programs, preserving their ability to ensure the educational program is provided in a manner that is reflective of...more
During the first days of President Trump's second term of office, he issued executive orders rescinding many Biden-era executive orders and addressing a wide range of initiatives and issues that were a focus of his election...more
On Jan. 29, 2025, President Donald Trump signed the “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling” executive order (EO) and the “Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families” EO, directing federal agencies to...more
The start of a new year may prompt questions regarding hot button areas of the law in flux. We have received questions about several such issues and what they mean for educators. Title IX, immigration enforcement, and school...more
The election of President-elect Donald Trump to serve a second term could carry significant implications for independent schools. As we move toward Inauguration Day, it would be wise for independent schools to stay attuned to...more
Welcome to The Academic Advisor - our e-newsletter focused on education law insights. With Fall Break behind us and the race to end-of-term underway, we highlight the following topics of import for schools,...more
As you recover from another whirlwind of a school year, we hope you can take some time to relax and enjoy your summer break. The next few months will be the perfect time to – at your leisure – catch up on this past year’s...more
In a decision that should put the nation’s private and independent school community on notice, U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett for the District of Maryland recently ruled that a school’s 501(c)(3) tax-exempt...more
In response to several Florida school boards considering mask mandates in advance of school openings, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis just signed an executive order threatening to withhold state funds from any school boards...more
After unanimous approval by both Florida’s Senate and House, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Educator Conduct Act on June 21, amending several sections of the state’s K-20 Education Code and imposing new statutory...more
President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 into law on March 11, 2021. The Act includes around $1.9 trillion dollars in funding for coronavirus recovery, $39.6 billion of which is appropriated to institutions...more
Update: On Monday, January 25, the Governor introduced another bill, SSB1065, which establishes a student first scholarship program for certain pupils attending nonpublic schools. The legislature did not meet on Monday in...more
On August 26, 2020, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California followed the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington at Seattle and temporarily halted the enforcement...more
On August 21, 2020, a federal court for the Western District of Washington at Seattle granted the State of Washington’s motion for a preliminary injunction to prevent the U.S. Department of Education (the “Department”) from...more
Following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the federal government has provided financial assistance opportunities that may be available to private elementary and secondary independent schools under the...more
On November 20, 2018, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced the second round of revisions to its Case Processing Manual (CPM) in 2018. The CPM outlines the procedures OCR uses to...more
President Donald Trump on February 12, 2018, submitted his budget request to Congress for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019. The President's full budget calls for approximately $4.4 trillion in total spending. Much of the budget seeks...more
The US Department of Education ("ED" or "the Department") has decided against an earlier plan to send letters to every institution believed to be out-of-compliance (or rather, located in a state that is considered...more