Earlier today, Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court ruled in favor of petitioners seeking an injunction to prevent Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam from enforcing a Masking Order for anyone in the public school environment. The Governor has vowed an immediate appeal of the court ruling.
Posts Tagged ‘COVID’
Pennsylvania Court Cases Reinforce Legal Obligation To Follow and Enforce School Masking Order
October 11th, 2021These cases, and undoubtedly others to come, only reinforce what has been the responsible legal advice – that the Department of Health order is lawful and enforceable and that school districts are obligated to make good faith efforts to implement the order.
PDE and DHS Defend Medical Reasoning: School Mask Requirements Do Not Constitute Child Abuse
October 5th, 2021Whether it be with school closures, virtual learning, or mask mandates, few districts have experienced the level of daily public outcry as has accompanied this pandemic.
Trying to Keep Things Moving: Bus Driver Shortages Affect School Transportation, Could Be Year-Long
September 28th, 2021According to a national survey, more than half of the country’s school districts are reporting either a “severe” or “desperate” driver shortage.
For School Boards Caught In the Middle of the Mask Debate
September 7th, 2021In the public controversy over the wearing of masks in schools, many legal theories have been advanced by non-lawyers and some lawyers as well questioning the legality of government-imposed mandatory masking requirements in light of the COVID pandemic. Some of the proponents of these theories advocate non-compliance as a remedy and some more cautiously suggest legislative fixes or legal challenges.
COVID Prevention Strategies Remain Critical to Protect School Communities This Fall
July 20th, 2021On July 16, 2021, PDE advised school entities to follow current CDC guidance.
USDOE Mandates Standardized Tests, But Does Provide Some Flexibility in Pandemic Year
March 17th, 2021as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the DOE provided states with flexible options with respect to assessment, accountability, and reporting systems.
How Are We Doing? Special Education Services A Year Into COVID
March 10th, 2021Statutory obligations to provide instructional time and the accommodations and services needed to enable students with disabilities to access education remain in place.
CDC Releases Guidelines and Recommendations for Returning to In-Person Instruction
February 12th, 2021The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) eleased new guidance and recommendations today for schools getting ready to start full in-person instruction again during the pandemic.