On July 23, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education (the “Department”) announced that it is rescinding the disparate-impact provisions in its Title VI regulations. The Department stated that the change is intended to align those regulations with Title VI’s statutory text and recent federal policy, including Executive Order No. 14281, by focusing Title VI liability on intentional … [Read more...] about The Department of Education Eliminates Disparate-Impact Regulations Under Title VI: What School Districts Should Know
School Law Bullet
U.S. Department of Education Highlights Schools’ Obligations to Protect Students from Sexual Abuse
On July 10, 2026, the United States Department of Education (Department)’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued a Dear Colleague Letter (Letter), calling on educational institutions to ensure compliance with federal laws designed to protect children from sexual misconduct in schools. Although the Letter does not create new legal requirements, it signals OCR’s continued focus on investigating … [Read more...] about U.S. Department of Education Highlights Schools’ Obligations to Protect Students from Sexual Abuse
Pennsylvania Authorizes Seal of Biliteracy Program for Eligible High School Graduates
On June 29, 2026, Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro signed House Bill No. 1877 into law, making it Act No. 19 of 2026. The law took effect immediately and allows Pennsylvania schools to issue the official Pennsylvania Seal of Biliteracy to any graduating high school student who demonstrates proficiency in English and at least one other world language, subject to PDE’s established criteria. PDE … [Read more...] about Pennsylvania Authorizes Seal of Biliteracy Program for Eligible High School Graduates
What School Leaders Should Know About Proposed Changes to Pennsylvania’s Special Education Contingency Fund
On June 22, 2026, House Bill 2307 was referred to the Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee for consideration after passing the House. Its passage would provide additional fiscal support to schools for special education-related costs via the Special Education Contingency Fund. The Special Education Contingency Fund (the “Fund”) was established under 24 P.S. § 25-2509.8 for the … [Read more...] about What School Leaders Should Know About Proposed Changes to Pennsylvania’s Special Education Contingency Fund
Supreme Court Upholds State Laws Prohibiting Transgender Female Athletes from Competing in Women’s Sports
On June 30, 2026, the Supreme Court of the United States issued an opinion in two critical cases, Little v. Hecox and West Virginia v. B.P.J., both challenging state laws prohibiting transgender female athletes from competing in female-designated sports. KingSpry’s Education Law Attorney and Managing Partner, Jessica F. Moyer, Esq., breaks down the cases, highlights key aspects of the Court’s … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Upholds State Laws Prohibiting Transgender Female Athletes from Competing in Women’s Sports
Interagency Agreements Disperse Department of Education Functions
On June 16, the Department of Education announced four new interagency agreements that move some functions of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and investigative functions of the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) to the Department of Justice. The announcement of the OSERS-HHS touts the similarities of some … [Read more...] about Interagency Agreements Disperse Department of Education Functions
