policies

Office for Civil Rights Guidance on Student Enrollment

September 9, 2014

By: Amanda Sundquist The Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”) updated its previous “Dear Colleague” letter issued in 2011 regarding public schools’ obligations for student enrollment. Public schools may not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status of a student (or his/her parent or guardian) in regard …

New Jersey School Districts Permitted to Add Alleged Bullies and Parents as Defendants

April 14, 2014

By Amanda Sundquist

By: Amanda Sundquist In a unique ruling, a New Jersey Superior Court Judge has permitted two school districts to add eleven students and their parents as third party defendants in a bullying and harassment case against the school districts. The students are alleged to have bullied the student plaintiff and their parents are …

U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Hear “I (Heart) Boobies” Student Speech Case

March 17, 2014

By Amanda Sundquist

By: Amanda Sundquist I have previously blogged about a First Amendment law suit brought by two middle school students against Easton Area School District in federal court. The school district banned the wearing of “I (heart) Boobies” bracelets distributed by the Keep A Breast Foundation. The students were suspended for failing to comply …

New Guidance on Student Enrollment

May 18, 2011

By Amanda Sundquist

By: Amanda Sundquist The United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has recently issued a “Dear Colleague” letter regarding school district enrollment practices. The letter focuses on practices that may discourage enrollment of students based on their or their parents’ actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status. Under federal …

Court Grants Preliminary Injunction in Student First Amendment Case

April 22, 2011

By Amanda Sundquist

By: Amanda Sundquist On December 17, 2010, I blogged about a First Amendment law suit brought by two middle school students against Easton Area School District in federal court. The District banned the wearing of “I (heart) Boobies” bracelets distributed by the Keep A Breast Foundation. The students were suspended for …

Office of Civil Rights Responds to Questions Regarding Harassment and Bullying

April 22, 2011

By Amanda Sundquist

By: Amanda Sundquist On October 28, 2010, I blogged about the United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights issuing a “Dear Colleagues” letter addressing school districts’ obligations in regard to bullying and harassment of district students. In December 2010, the National School Boards Association wrote a letter to Office …

United States Department of Education Addresses School Bullying and Harassment

October 28, 2010

By Amanda Sundquist

By: Amanda J. Sundquist On October 26, 2010, the United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, issued a “Dear Colleagues” letter addressing school districts’ obligations in regard to bullying and harassment of students. The letter encourages school districts to review their bullying and harassment policies and practices to ensure compliance with …

Who May Participate in Public School Extracurricular Activities?

January 25, 2010

By Amanda Sundquist

By: Amanda J. Sundquist In Trefelner v. Burrell School District, the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania issued a temporary restraining order to compel a school district to permit a parochial school student to participate in extracurricular activities offered by the school district, including marching and jazz bands. Pennsylvania’s Public …

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Office for Civil Rights Guidance on Student Enrollment

New Jersey School Districts Permitted to Add Alleged Bullies and Parents as Defendants

U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Hear “I (Heart) Boobies” Student Speech Case

New Guidance on Student Enrollment

Court Grants Preliminary Injunction in Student First Amendment Case

Office of Civil Rights Responds to Questions Regarding Harassment and Bullying

United States Department of Education Addresses School Bullying and Harassment

Who May Participate in Public School Extracurricular Activities?

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