Confused about the Child Protective Services Law amendments? Ready to pull your hair out thinking about employee clearances and background checks? Having panic attacks about new legal compliance related to volunteers in your school? You are not alone. In what can be legitimately termed the Post-Sandusky era, the landscape of mandated reporting and child abuse protection/prevention has just … [Read more...] about Keeping Up With Child Abuse Laws In A Post-Sandusky World: A Practical Legal Guide for Schools
KingSpry Blog
New Guidance for Programs to Assist English Learners
On January 7, the Office for Civil Rights and the Department of Justice issued joint guidance in the form of a Dear Colleague Letter to clarify the obligation of school districts to ensure equal access to education for English language learners. Federal Law Requires Equal Access Federal statistics indicate that English Learner (EL) students are enrolled in three out of four school districts and … [Read more...] about New Guidance for Programs to Assist English Learners
Be Careful What Your Syllabus Promises!
A district court in New Mexico recently denied the University of New Mexico’s motion to dismiss a suit brought by a student disciplined for condemning lesbianism in a reflection paper for a course. The syllabus for the course, “Images of (Wo)men: Icons and Iconoclasts,” had advertised “controversy built right into the syllabus.” At first, the court’s decision may be a no-brainer, but the professor … [Read more...] about Be Careful What Your Syllabus Promises!
Employer Obligations Under the ADA & FMLA When Your Employee Is An Alcoholic
In the last couple of months, our office has gotten a number of questions about the obligations employers have with respect to their employees who are suffering from alcoholism under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The law in this area is fairly well established and allows employees to handle these types of cases in ways that differ from how other … [Read more...] about Employer Obligations Under the ADA & FMLA When Your Employee Is An Alcoholic
Will the ABLE Act Be Able to Make a Difference?
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
