The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, breaking with long established precedent, has found that a court may hear a claim under the Pennsylvania Constitution related into educational funding. Interestingly, nationally this is in line with several other states that have allowed challenges to educational funding under their state constitutions. Politics and Precedent The case of William Penn School … [Read more...] about In a Dramatic Shift, Pennsylvania Supreme Court Finds Courts May Wade Into Issue of Educational Funding
KingSpry Blog
Solving the Funding Problem After Endrew F. Decision
On March 22, 2017, Chief Justice Roberts announced the High Court’s decision in Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District RE-1. In Endrew F., the High Court attempted to define what constitutes a “free appropriate public education” (FAPE) in the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). Commentators have lauded the decision as mandating that Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) do not … [Read more...] about Solving the Funding Problem After Endrew F. Decision
New Third Circuit Precedent for School Sports Injuries
On September 21, 2017, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals decided a sad controversy involving a high school football player sent back into a practice game after suffering a severe hit to the torso and a possible concussion. The student then experienced a second hit, resulting in a subsequent diagnosis of traumatic brain injury. The appellate court affirmed the district court’s decision that … [Read more...] about New Third Circuit Precedent for School Sports Injuries
Grief and the Law: How To Return To Work When Coping With Loss
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. After the death of a child or the loss of a pregnancy, undoubtedly, you will grieve. People react differently to a death of a child. It takes time to resume a normal life, and some may struggle. Family members and friends will reach out to console a grieving parent, but you may feel alone when it comes to trying to return to work after your … [Read more...] about Grief and the Law: How To Return To Work When Coping With Loss
Has the Court Rung The Death Knell on Settlement Agreements in Special Education?
A school district was ordered to go to a due process hearing under the IDEA despite the waiver agreement that it had with the parents on the issues. West Chester Area School District v. A.M. and K.M., individually and as parents and natural guardians of C.M. and Charles Jelley, Hearing Officer, Pennsylvania Office of Dispute Resolution, 2017 WL 2623939 (June 19, 2017) In a case of first impression … [Read more...] about Has the Court Rung The Death Knell on Settlement Agreements in Special Education?
Family Engagement Initiative New Focus in Facilitating Permanency
For more than 10 years, members of Pennsylvania’s Permanency Practice Initiative Workgroup have studied court and agency practices in the dependency (foster care) system with a goal to identify ways to increase family participation or a voice in the process, identify kinship resources, and promote permanency for children. The methods identified by this group are now familiar to child welfare … [Read more...] about Family Engagement Initiative New Focus in Facilitating Permanency
