Court Upholds Hearing Officer’s Decision and Grants Full Attorneys’ Fees After School Misses IDEA Appeal Deadline - A.L.L., A.L. v. Laboratory Charter School, 2025 WL 3269941 (E.D. Pa. Nov. 24, 2025) - The parent, A.L., filed...more
Eastern District of PA Finds that Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act Does Not Create a Stand-Alone Federal Cause of Action Based Upon Denial of Educational Records - Sandra S. v. Upper Darby Sch. Dist., No. CV 25-2389, 2025 WL...more
As public school districts approach the end of the fiscal year, the financial strain on special education programs is impossible to ignore. Across the country, administrators are sounding the alarm that a decrease in...more
Fifty years ago, millions of children with disabilities were excluded from public education. Today, how far have we come—and where do we go next? ...more
While the 2024 Title IX regulations, in their short lifespan, had specific provisions about the role of members of the IEP team in determining supportive measures and other aspects of the process, the reinstatement of the...more
Parents Matthew Hartzell and Courtny Roberts (“Parents”) enrolled their son (“Child”) in the Scranton School District (“District”) beginning in the 2021-2022 school year. The Child’s placement was in a special education class...more
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping public education in Tennessee, presenting both opportunities and legal challenges for local education agencies (LEAs) and charter schools. In 2024, the Tennessee General...more
A ruling by the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA) has clarified that school divisions have the legal right to seek attorney’s fees from special education advocates who repeatedly engage in frivolous or improper challenges....more
On June 12, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous opinion in A. J. T. v. Osseo Area Schools, No. 24-249, holding that discrimination claims brought under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of...more
Third Circuit Upholds Award of Attorneys’ Fees Despite Student’s Loss Before Administrative Law Judge - Augustyn v. Wall Twp. Bd. of Educ., No. 23-3156, 2025 WL 1352259 (3d Cir. May 9, 2025) - The student was unsuccessful...more
As the end of the term seems to be rushing towards us, the U.S. Supreme Court issued six more opinions yesterday, mostly unanimous or near unanimous....more
The Supreme Court of the United States issued six decisions today: Parrish v. United States, No. 24-275: This case addresses the procedural requirements for filing a notice of appeal after the original deadline to appeal...more
As attorneys representing families and students with disabilities, we are often asked about the differences between compensatory education and Extended School Year (“ESY”) services for students with disabilities. While both...more
The Uncertain Future of Special Education: Presidential Authority and the Proposed Shift to HHS - With the United States Department of Education in a state of flux at the national level, one question that looms large is the...more
Generally, independent schools intentionally refrain from participating in the majority of federal funding programs, preserving their ability to ensure the educational program is provided in a manner that is reflective of...more
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) oversees Ohio’s implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA), a federal law that entitles children with disabilities to a free appropriate...more
On March 20, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order (“EO”) titled “Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities,” directing the Secretary of Education to undertake all...more
It's that time of the year again – the time to snuggle up by the fire, put on Dominick the Donkey and read this year's Top Section 101 Patent Eligibility Stories. But first, the holiday movies and where they're streaming ...more
Schools consistently prioritize creating a safe educational environment for students and staff. Prevention and planning are a cornerstone of that process and appropriate discipline of students is a necessary component for...more
This post has been updated since its original publication date. On November 15, 2024, the US Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property advanced the Inventor Diversity for Economic Advancement (IDEA) Act, one...more
Glue is an object commonly found in schools, yet the “glue” that binds class action commonality appears to be a scarce commodity for students with disabilities and their parents. In September 2024, the Fourth Circuit decided...more
On November 15, 2024, the US Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property advanced the Inventor Diversity for Economic Advancement (IDEA) Act, one of three significant bills it considered this year to reform the...more
Sometimes, despite the best and thorough efforts of school employees, parents of students receiving special education services will file a request for a due process hearing (usually known as a “due process complaint”). When...more
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)....more
As school administrators know, there are always interesting updates for complying with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Recent cases provide important new information for K-12 school teams to improve...more