On Friday, December 19, 2014, President Barack Obama signed into law the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (the “ABLE” Act). The ABLE Act, which was met with wide-spread bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate, is an amendment to Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and calls for states to create programs under which tax-free saving accounts for individuals with … [Read more...] about Will the ABLE Act Be Able to Make a Difference?
Is More Than FAPE Required? The Departments of Education and Justice Issue Guidance Suggesting Some Students May Need More
The United States Departments of Education and Justice recently issued a letter and frequently asked questions document regarding effective communication services for students with hearing, vision or speech disabilities that school districts and other public educational entities should be aware of. Communication services are given special consideration. While the document itself appears to rehash … [Read more...] about Is More Than FAPE Required? The Departments of Education and Justice Issue Guidance Suggesting Some Students May Need More
On Being Open to New Opportunities: Reflections on Open Adoption During the Holiday Season
The concept of an open adoption is relatively new. A cultural shift has occurred that acknowledges the damage done in previous generations by making adoption a secret. Adoption professionals today emphasize an adoptee’s right to be aware of the adoption, and the importance of honoring the adoptee’s heritage. In the middle of the holiday season, it is not our intent to create new pressures or … [Read more...] about On Being Open to New Opportunities: Reflections on Open Adoption During the Holiday Season
Double or Nothing – Has Re-Exhaustion Become an Excuse for Non-Exhaustion Under the IDEA?
In an interesting case out of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the Court found that parents who filed an appeal in a special education due process matter that they lost could simply add as an issue in the appeal a newly-proposed IEP, rather than filing a new due process complaint to contest the appropriateness of the new IEP. In J.N. v. Penn-Delco School District, parents sought tuition … [Read more...] about Double or Nothing – Has Re-Exhaustion Become an Excuse for Non-Exhaustion Under the IDEA?
Workers Lose Supreme Court Battle on Pay for Time Spent Waiting in Employer-Mandated Security Checks
Yesterday, the Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in the matter of Integrity Staffing Solutions, Inc. v. Busk, et al., holding that employees are not entitled to be paid for time spent waiting in line to undergo a security screening before leaving work each day. This ruling is considered a major victory for the many large retail employers who are currently facing multi-million dollar class … [Read more...] about Workers Lose Supreme Court Battle on Pay for Time Spent Waiting in Employer-Mandated Security Checks
Students Love Technology, Even When it Comes to Smoking – Why School Entities Should Act to Prohibit Electronic Cigarettes on Campus
While smoking has been unlawful on school campuses in Pennsylvania for several years, it appears that current federal and state laws that apply these bans do not include electronic cigarettes. As a result, school entities should act to address this issue on their own campuses and update their policies as needed. Pennsylvania’s Clean Indoor Act prohibits smoking in a public place and defines … [Read more...] about Students Love Technology, Even When it Comes to Smoking – Why School Entities Should Act to Prohibit Electronic Cigarettes on Campus
