A hallmark of the Trump administration's education policy agenda, school choice programs aim to provide public funds to families to cover education-related expenses, including for independent school tuition. ...more
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
In the hours following his inauguration, President Trump issued executive orders concerning immigration, including the launch of new enforcement policies to address illegal entry, unlawful presence, and removal of...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
Through our work with independent schools, we have seen numerous schools grapple with a variety of copyright issues including disputes over ownership of work created by teachers, unauthorized use of music or videos, and the...more
In an earlier article, we discussed how a federal district court’s decision that mere 501(c)(3) status can trigger obligations under Title IX created shock waves throughout the private independent school community. A recent...more
After criticism of her testimony before Congress on antisemitism on college campuses, the President of the University of Pennsylvania, Liz Magill, resigned. And, at Pomona College, authorities arrested a professor who...more
As independent schools work to promote equity, understanding, and inclusion of students across the gender spectrum on their campuses, it seems that legislative efforts on the state and federal levels are moving in the...more
The highest priority for any independent school is ensuring the safety and security of the students committed to its care. Central to meeting this responsibility is establishing and enforcing appropriate boundaries between...more
While the great majority of schools will not be requiring their students or staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 this coming school year, that’s not necessarily true for schools in the Northeast and on the West Coast....more
Many students are generally familiar with the First Amendment of the Constitution, but they often overlook that it only confers the right “to petition the Government for a redress of such grievances.” As a result, only...more
The General Office of the Central Committee of China’s Communist Party and the General Office of the State Council on July 24, 2021 jointly released the Opinions on Further Reducing the Burden of Homework and Off-Campus...more
Last month we alerted our clients to the expected impact of the Implementation Rules for the Law for Promoting Private Education (“Education Sector Implementation Rules”), which signaled a continued focus by the authorities...more
On May 10, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children ages 12-15, expanding the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) originally issued on December 11, 2020 for individuals ages...more
One of the great perks of working at a private educational institution—university, college, or independent school—is the tuition remission for employees and their families. You know how expensive school tuition has become. So...more
In Illinois, the School Safety Drill Act requires K-12 public and private educational facilities to conduct several types of safety drills, including law enforcement drills, to address potential evacuation or lock-down...more
It’s here. It’s happening. Each day, another piece of what our society recognizes as white supremacist ideology finds its way into mainstream social media and news platforms. We read about it, wrestle with our stand on “free...more
Starting on August 1st, students with medical marijuana cards may be administered cannabis products at school. Known as Ashley’s Law, the School Code now allows students to be given medical cannabis infused products at...more
While all educators aim to create an environment where every student thrives and flourishes, we know that there are times when a student’s actions require discipline or expulsion. Those are always difficult decisions....more
After the February 14 tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, students began to organize like rarely before to protest gun violence in schools. Protests such as school walk-outs and “die-ins”...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