Your child has been diagnosed with a learning disorder, and that’s evolved into the need for an individualized education program (IEP) at school. Ideally, you and your child’s educators will be on the same page -- but life is usually far from ideal. Many educators act...
Education Law
Is the pension fund for Pennsylvania teachers in trouble?
In early April of this year, the state treasurer confirmed that the Pennsylvania School Employees Retirement System (PSERS) is being investigated by federal authorities for improprieties. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is reportedly looking into the way the...
Can you lose your job as a teacher for your religious beliefs?
Freedom of religion is one of the most crucial civil liberties for those living in the United States. Your right to your faith has protection under the First Amendment. Many times, people take for granted their right to believe what they want and to worship how they...
Can your college withhold copies of your transcript due to unpaid bills?
College is an investment of at least tens of thousands of dollars, all with the goal of securing a better career or higher income later in life. Students have to pay for tuition, books and often for additional costs assessed by their college or university to secure...
How do you get the school to help your child with special needs?
When your child struggles at school, you can feel like you have failed them as a parent. Getting them an accurate medical evaluation and diagnosis when appropriate can really turn things around for a child with special needs. Whether your grade school student is...
What to know about student disciplinary policies and how they can impact your future
If you think back to when your school first notified you of your admission, you'll likely remember them providing you with a student handbook to read and then sign off saying that you'd done so. While you may have glossed over its contents, you probably shouldn't...
Can a school penalize your child for off-campus speech?
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed that it would hear a case about whether a school may punish children for off-campus speech. This First Amendment issue came up in a case involving a cheerleader in Pennsylvania. According to the story, the junior varsity cheerleader was...
Discrimination at college? Collect strong evidence to make a case
Your child works hard to get good grades in college. They have put forward as much effort as possible, seeking out tutoring and assistance from their professors. Despite that, their grades are not reflecting the hard work put in. If your child confided in you about...
What should I do if a school accuses my child of cyberbullying?
It can come as a shock if the school accuses your child of bullying. When you meet with a representative at the school, they say your child has not hurt anyone physically. What they are accusing them of is cyberbullying. What is cyberbullying? Cyberbullying is the...
What can professors do when their tenure is at stake?
At its best, tenure allows professors to speak freely and share controversial ideas without risking professional consequences. Yet, tenure does not shield them when they commit professional or criminal misconduct. Nor does it protect professors from the effects of...