Law & Courts Blog

The School Law Blog

The School Law Blog offered expert insights and analysis on legal issues in education, including school-related cases in the U.S. Supreme Court and in lower courts. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: law & courts, supreme court, and court cases.

Education High Court Backs Oklahoma Tribe's Reservation Status, With Potential School Implications
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a large swath of land in Oklahoma is still an American Indian reservation, a decision that may have ramifications for education.
Mark Walsh, July 9, 2020
5 min read
Education Supreme Court Narrows Employment Protections for Parochial School Teachers
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that federal courts are foreclosed from hearing employment-discrimination claims from teachers at religious schools who have at least some role in teaching the faith.
Mark Walsh, July 8, 2020
8 min read
Education Teacher Loses Case as Supreme Court Backs State Sanctions for Rogue Electors
Micheal Baca, now a government teacher, was one of the rogue electors who faced sanctions for casting an Electoral College ballot for someone other than the winner of their states' popular vote.
Mark Walsh, July 6, 2020
4 min read
Education U.S. Supreme Court Declines Review of Education Case on Use of Salary History
The justices refuse to take up a case about gender-pay disparities in education, and separately, order a new look at a case about state provision of transportation for private schools.
Mark Walsh, July 2, 2020
5 min read
Education Federal Appeals Court Rejects Student Discipline for Vulgar Off-Campus Message
A panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit overturned the school discipline of a student who posted a vulgar message on her Snapchat page.
Mark Walsh, July 1, 2020
6 min read
Education U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Ban on Tax-Credit Scholarships for Religious Schools
The justices ruled 5-4 that a Montana state constitutional provision barring aid to religion discriminated against religious schools and families seeking to benefit from a tax credit for donations for scholarships.
Mark Walsh, June 30, 2020
3 min read
Education U.S. Backs Idaho Law Limiting Sports Participation by Transgender Females
In a case involving a transgender track athlete, the Trump administration says female transgender athletes are seeking "special treatment" to compete in girls' or women's sports.
Mark Walsh, June 22, 2020
4 min read
Education U.S. Supreme Court Blocks Trump Administration's Move to End DACA
In a case with implications in education, the justices ruled 5-4 to block the Trump administration's decision to unwind deportation relief for nearly 700,000 undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children.
Mark Walsh, June 18, 2020
2 min read
Photo shows a summer day in front of the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, DC.
Bill Chizek/iStock/Getty Images Plus
Law & Courts WATCH: How the Supreme Court's LGBTQ Ruling Impacts Education
The Supreme Court issued an important decision on LGBTQ rights in the workplace this week. Here's how that decision could impact education.
Emma Patti Harris, June 17, 2020
1 min read
Education U.S. Supreme Court Won't Review Qualified Immunity Doctrine, For Now
The justices declined to take up any of nine appeals that called for a fundamental reexamination of qualified immunity, which can shield officials when they are sued for alleged violations of federal rights.
Mark Walsh, June 15, 2020
2 min read
Education U.S. Supreme Court Holds That Title VII Covers LGBTQ Employees
In a 6-3 decision with implications for school districts as employers and in legal battles over the rights of transgender students, the justices take a broad view of Title VII's coverage of sex discrimination.
Mark Walsh, June 15, 2020
1 min read
Education Federal Appeals Court Order Ends Detroit 'Right to Literacy' Case
The order by the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit recognizes a settlement, but sets aside a panel decision recognizing a federal right of access to literacy.
Mark Walsh, June 12, 2020
3 min read
Education Four Big Education Decisions Expected Soon From the U.S. Supreme Court
As the court's term nears its end, rulings expected on tax credit for religious school scholarships, employment laws at private religious schools, civil rights protection for LGBT workers, and immigration.
Mark Walsh, June 5, 2020
5 min read
Education U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Financial Oversight Board for Puerto Rico
In a decision with implications for the island's schools and retired teachers, the justices turned away a constitutional challenge to the way members of a federal oversight board were appointed.
Mark Walsh, June 1, 2020
3 min read