As a California wildfire, the California Superior Court’s recent decision in Vergara v. State of California, et. al., is likely to be catching and may have resounding implications on similar laws in Pennsylvania. Tenure Arguably May Limit Education In Vergara, nine California public school students, funded by a Silicon Valley millionaire, argued that California’s teacher tenure, dismissal, and … [Read more...] about CA Superior Court Rules Tenure Laws Unconstitutional … Could PA Be Next?
School Law Bullet
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Says Kindergarten Students Must Attend School
As the deadline to enroll kindergarten students for next school year approaches, parents and schools are on notice that kindergarten students are subject to compulsory school attendance. On June 16, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court affirmed that parents of kindergarten students must comply with compulsory attendance laws. Facts in the Case In this case, the parent enrolled her twin 5-year-old … [Read more...] about Pennsylvania Supreme Court Says Kindergarten Students Must Attend School
The Auditor General Calls for a “Tune Up” of the Charter School Law
On June 12, 2014, the Charter School Law celebrated its 17-year anniversary, following calls for legislative reform of its most fundamental flaws. Senate Bill 1316 and House Bill 2138, both tabled this month, would, among other things, revamp the funding for charter school education, consistent with the actual cost of special education. Following the proposal of both bills, in May 2014, the … [Read more...] about The Auditor General Calls for a “Tune Up” of the Charter School Law
PIAA’s Attendance Rule is Constitutional
The District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania recently concluded that Article III, Section 8 of the PIAA’s Bylaws, also known as the “Attendance Rule” , is constitutional. The Attendance Rule directs that home schooled students are permitted to participate in interscholastic sports for the public school within which they reside. Factual and Procedural History The Attendance Rule was … [Read more...] about PIAA’s Attendance Rule is Constitutional
United States Supreme Court Allows Township to Open Meetings with Prayer
On May 5, the Supreme Court affirmed that “legislative prayer” is permissible under the First Amendment. The decision is unlikely to change the rules for school districts. The Township of Greece, located outside of Rochester, has since 1999 opened its monthly meetings with a roll call, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a prayer led by a local clergy member. Prior to that time, the meetings were opened … [Read more...] about United States Supreme Court Allows Township to Open Meetings with Prayer
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Validates Charter School Enrollment Caps
On May 27, 2014, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court held that an enrollment cap on a charter school is valid if agreed to by the parties as part of a written charter. In arriving at its holding in The School District of Philadelphia v. Department of Education and The Walter D. Palmer Leadership Partners Charter School, the Supreme Court interpreted the applicability of a 2008 revision to the Charter … [Read more...] about Pennsylvania Supreme Court Validates Charter School Enrollment Caps
