Staffing Shortages – The “Why” and Strategies to Address Them
Strategic Planning: Making NC Public Schools the Best in the Nation for ALL Students
Leading in a Lonely World Podcast: Meet Jamie Pagliaro, a Leader Who has Made His “Passion” for Helping Others His Life’s Work
Top 10 Actions (or Inactions), that Spur Special Education Impartial Hearing Requests for School Districts
K. L. v. Dunmore School District, et. al. No. 3:24-cv-01461, 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 188083 (M.D. Pa. September 24, 2025). District Court for Middle District of Pennsylvania denies federal claims under various civil rights and...more
In this episode of S.O.S.: Strategies for Operation Special Education, Poyner Spruill LLP attorney Rachel Nicholas sits down with Principal Researcher Dr. Allison Gilmour to unpack the causes behind staffing shortages and...more
If your child has an IEP in Ohio, you’ve probably faced the moment at the end of a meeting when someone hands you the signature page and says, “go ahead and sign here.” It can feel intimidating to speak up about any...more
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
ISBE released a guidance document on residential placements, Guidance on PA 95-0844 and PA 95-0938. The document answers frequently asked questions related to residential placements of general education and special education...more
District Court dismisses IDEA claim because plaintiffs failed to exhaust administrative remedies under the IDEA for education-centric claim even though plaintiffs sought money damages....more
Governor Josh Shapiro recently announced that the proposed 2024-2025 budget for the Pennsylvania Department of Education includes a $1,436,815,000 special education appropriation....more
Third Circuit affirms lower court finding that a school district did not violate the IDEA or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Zachary J. through Jonathan and Jennifer J. of Lafayette Hill, PA v. Colonial Sch. Dist.,...more
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) makes public education available to children with disabilities ages 3 to 21. The U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES) reports that 7.3...more
New York’s State Education Department recently issued a recommendation that school districts provide special education services to some students with disabilities through age 22: an additional year that will likely impact...more
School aged children lost much in the pandemic, including critical learning time in the classroom, social development, mental health, extracurricular activities, and much more. According to a 2023 study published in the...more
As part of its ongoing efforts to increase inclusivity towards non-native English speakers in the academic setting, the Illinois State Board of Education amended its special education regulations to expand access to...more
The United States Supreme Court issued a decision in Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools, No. 21-887, opening the door for future claims against schools for compensatory monetary damages. In its unanimous opinion, the Supreme...more