Happy New (School) Year! It is the start of another school year. With this in mind, we dedicate this issue of our newsletter to topics relating to things to know and do as the new school year begins. In This Issue: Addressing the Unique Needs of Incoming Students with an IEP in Tow By Chris … Continue reading School Law Buzz – Aug 2018
Records, Records, Records
By Ramón Medina On November 27, 2017, TEA issued a To The Administrator Addressed letter encouraging school districts and charter schools to document any loss of records due to Hurricane Harvey. Notably, the agency did not declare that it would not hold districts and charters that lost records during Hurricane Harvey and subsequent weather events … Continue reading Records, Records, Records
Proposed Senate Bill 7 Rules – Available for Public Comment
By Allen Keller & Ramón Medina On August 4, 2017, the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) discussed proposed amendments to Texas Administrative Code, Title 19, Chapter 249 that would implement Senate Bill (SB) 7. On October 6, 2017, SBEC again considered the proposed rule amendments. SBEC’s amendments to Chapter 249 are pending adoption by … Continue reading Proposed Senate Bill 7 Rules – Available for Public Comment
Texas Open Meetings Act Update
Laws on Videoconferencing Under the Texas Open Meetings Act[1] Does the Open Meetings Act (the “Act”) allow a Charter School or School District to hold a meeting by videoconference call? Yes, if certain conditions are met. See Tex. Gov’t Code § 551.127. The special videoconference requirements set out below are in addition to requirements that … Continue reading Texas Open Meetings Act Update
SPED Alert: Thou Shalt Have “Appropriately Ambitious” IEPs
by Christopher Schulz On March 22, 2017, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) decided the case of Endrew F. filed against the Douglas County School District (DCSD). In a unanimous opinion, SCOTUS Chief Justice John Roberts ruled that public schools must provide students with disabilities an “educational program [that is] appropriately ambitious in … Continue reading SPED Alert: Thou Shalt Have “Appropriately Ambitious” IEPs
Legislature Addressing Concerns Over Educator-Student Relationships
by Ramón Medina In recent years, TEA has progressively investigated and the news media has increasingly reported, with scandalous headlines, allegations of educator and student relationships. Not surprisingly, the Texas Legislature is now addressing the matter. On March 8, 2017, the Senate unanimously passed SB:7. As amended, SB:7 would: (a) Apply to teacher, teacher intern … Continue reading Legislature Addressing Concerns Over Educator-Student Relationships