On July 8, 2022, Governor Tom Wolf signed Act 55 of 2022 into law, intending to address ongoing learning losses stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Act 55 expands the opportunity for extended enrollment to students with disabilities. Last year, Act 66 of 2021 (Act 66) permitted students enrolled during the 2020-21 school year to repeat their grade level to counteract any lost educational … [Read more...] about Act 55 Extends Enrollment for Students with Disabilities to Combat Lost Opportunities from COVID-19
COVID-19
EEOC Updates COVID-19 Guidance: When Is COVID-19 Considered a Disability Under the Law?
On December 14, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) updated its COVID-19 technical assistance to clarify when COVID-19 might qualify as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act. Earlier in 2021, the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services had issued guidance on “Long Covid” as a disability. This new … [Read more...] about EEOC Updates COVID-19 Guidance: When Is COVID-19 Considered a Disability Under the Law?
OSHA Issues Emergency Temporary Standards for Mandatory Employee COVID Vaccinations
The United States Department of Labor, Occupational Health and Safety Administration (“OSHA”) released an Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”) today that will be published on November 5, 2021. The ETS will take effect immediately upon publication. It will remain effective until OSHA promulgates a permanent standard, which must occur within six months of the ETS’s publication in the Federal … [Read more...] about OSHA Issues Emergency Temporary Standards for Mandatory Employee COVID Vaccinations
Federal Judge Rules That Employer Can Require Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccinations
A federal judge in the Southern District of Texas recently upheld an employer’s requirement that its employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 or be terminated from employment. In Bridges v. Houston Methodist Hospital, Jennifer Bridges and 116 other employees of Houston Methodist argued that the Hospital was unlawfully forcing its employees to be injected or be fired. The employees first argued … [Read more...] about Federal Judge Rules That Employer Can Require Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccinations
Potential Legislation Addresses Post-COVID Student Retention Matters
Senate Bill 664 was unanimously approved by the Senate on 5/12/21. What will this mean for Pennsylvania schools going forward? Sponsored by Republican Jake Corman, the Bill grants parents the authority to have their children repeat a grade in school during the 2021-22 school year. Current law places all discretion with regard to retention and promotion determinations with the classroom teacher … [Read more...] about Potential Legislation Addresses Post-COVID Student Retention Matters
What Are the Contractual Guidelines for ESSERS Funding?
In order to provide support and aid to school districts across the country amid the ongoing pandemic, Congress is allocating funds to schools and districts to address the impact COVID-19 had, and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools. More than a year ago, on March 27, 2020, The U.S. Department of Education passed the $2 trillion CARES Act, and within that, about $30.75 billion … [Read more...] about What Are the Contractual Guidelines for ESSERS Funding?
