Education Law Insights

This episode will feature school districts with district- and school-level diversity and equity leadership teams, led by teachers and administrators throughout the district community. We are excited to welcome Mr. Tony Medina, Principal at Palatine High School in Township High School District 211; Dr. Rob Lang, Assistant Superintendent for Staff Services at Community High School District 99; Dr. S...

In this episode, Kendra Yoch and Amy Dickerson, along with Franczek attorney Emily Tulloch discuss some of the highlights of new legislation that have impacted the School Law landscape. The full summary of changes in School Law can be found and downloaded on our website at www.franczek.com.

Our regular COVID-19 webinar panel of Franczek attorneys, including Nicki Bazer, Amy Dickerson, Dana Fattore Crumley, and Kendra Yoch continue discussing updates on the latest information that schools need to know surrounding recent ISBE and IDPH guidance issued 9/21/21. In this episode, we discuss the recent executive orders, emergency regulations, vaccines, close contacts, school exclusions, and...

This episode of the Education Insights Law Podcast focuses on setting Equity priorities and plans for the new school year. We are excited to welcome Dr. Valerie McCall, Director of Educational Equity at West Aurora School District 129, and Nate Rouse, Director of Equity, Race, and Cultural Diversity Initiatives at Barrington School District 220. Kendra Yoch and Amy Dickerson serve as moderators as...

This episode will focus on engaging and reengaging students and families following the disruptions over the last year and a half. We are excited to welcome Dr. Zakieh Mohammed, Senior Manager for Attendance and Truancy, Office of Student Support and Engagement; Adrian Segura, Interim Chief Officer for Family and Community Engagement; and Claire Bohmann, Manager for Students in Temporary Living Sit...

Join our regular COVID-19 panel of Franczek attorneys, including Shelli Anderson, Nicki Bazer, Amy Dickerson, Jennifer Smith, and Kendra Yoch as we continue discussing updates on the latest information that schools need to know for reopening safely in Fall 2021. In this episode, we discuss the latest CDC, IDPH, and local health department guidance on masking, special education legal updates, remot...

Lawsuit threats, raucous board meetings, and unwelcome media scrutiny—schools, colleges, and universities across the country are in the crosshairs regarding the ever-changing legal landscape for student and employee rights with respect to LGBTQ+ individuals. Join Franczek P.C. Higher Education Group Co-Chair Jennifer Smith and Franczek partners Nicki Bazer and Kendra Yoch for a fast-paced discussi...

Our regular COVID-19 webinar panel of Franczek attorneys, including Shelli Anderson, Nicki Bazer, Dana Fattore Crumley, Jennifer Smith, and Kendra Yoch will be back July 14 to provide an update on the latest information that schools need to know for reopening safely in Fall 2021. We know districts are working hard to prepare for the upcoming school year and digest the new guidance from the CDC, ID...

This month our Educational Equity webinar will focus on student discipline, specifically racial disparities and disproportionality in exclusionary discipline, relationships with SROs, and improving school climate. We are thrilled to have Dr. Jerry Anderson, Principal at Bloom High School in Bloom Township High School District 206, and Dr. Ellen Swanson, Assistant Superintendent for Student Service...

What training must your school, college, or university complete under Title IX for 2021-2022? What training should it offer, even if not required. Join us for a discussion to begin your planning for Title IX training for the coming school year.

Truly committing to DEI requires much more than a simple revision to an organization's mission statement, training, or public statements of support made by top executives. These actions, although needed first steps, should be accompanied by a plan for launching and measuring specific DEI initiatives. Achieving DEI commitments ultimately require measurable, achievable, and legally compliant goals....

This month our Educational Equity webinar will discuss special education, specifically disproportionality related to the identification of students with disabilities, placement of students in restrictive settings, and exclusionary discipline of students with disabilities. We are pleased to have with us Cheryl Caesar, Assistant Director of Diverse Learners at Waukegan Community Unit School District...

We are delighted to bring you Dr. Christopher Berry for a discussion on the single most important revenue source for Illinois school districts. His research on property taxes was recently highlighted in the  New York Times  and the  Chicago Tribune . In this episode, Dr. Berry and Franczek partner Ares Dalianis examine the effect of the assessment appeals process on the overall fairness of propert...

In this episode, we discuss what a school must, can, and should do when faced with a report of off-campus sexual assault between community members. We all know that Title IX no longer covers much off-campus conduct, but does that mean schools must, can, and should do nothing in response to a report? We know you won't be surprised that the answer is no. But understanding the process of how to handl...

In this interactive Q & A episode, Franczek partners Nicki Bazer and Jackie Wernz answer all of your pressing SOPPA questions.  As the compliance deadline of July 1 draws near, districts are discovering that there are a lot of gray areas in this new amendment.  In this podcast, we navigate you through these tough spots. 

Our regular panel of Franczek attorneys, including Jackie Wernz, Shelli Anderson, Jennifer Smith, and Nicki Bazer, is back to discuss end-of-the-year items related to COVID and provide a look forward to the start of the 2021-2022 school year.  The panel will discuss the status of testing, vaccines, remote learning, and more and will answer all of your COVID-related questions.

During this episode, Amy Dickerson, Jackie Wernz, and Kendra Yoch discuss Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L., recently argued in the US Supreme Court. While the case deals with the First Amendment, not Title IX, it may have implications for how schools deal with off-campus online speech that may be sexual harassment. 

In this special episode, Education Law Insights host Kendra Yoch was joined by Jackie Wernz, editor of Franczek's Title IX Insights Blog to discuss the important issue of off-campus student speech.

Following up on our April 22, 2021 discussion with Kenneth Rosen, author of  Troubled – The Failed Promise of America's Behavioral Treatment Programs , we talk with parents' attorney Micki Moran, and clinical psychologist, Dr. Ruth Kraus, about their perspectives on residential placements for students as well as alternative options to support students with significant social-emotional, behavioral,...

In this episode, join us for a 90-minute facilitated conversation with acclaimed journalist Kenneth R. Rosen, author of Troubled-The Failed Promise of America's Behavioral Treatment Programs . Rosen's book tells the stories of four graduates on their own scarred journeys through wilderness and residential treatment programs into adulthood. Based on his own life experiences, three years of reportin...

What is included in your curriculum? What is left out? Who is telling the story? This episode will focus on curriculum. The content and instructional methods used in classrooms play a critical role in creating an educational environment that welcomes students with different identities and experiences, provides students with historical context for current events, develops critical thinking and coll...

Jackie Gharapour Wernz of Title IX Insights was a guest on this episode of the Education Law Insights podcast hosted by Kendra Yoch. Jackie and Kendra discussed the Department of Education's announcement about revamping the Title IX rules that went into effect last year and the Department of Justice's recent pronouncement of the applicability of Title IX to LGBTQ+ students.

As the country gears up for the March Madness NCAA basketball tournament, please join a panel of Franczek attorneys to discuss one of the most interesting legal topics facing the future of higher education: the compensation of student-athletes. For decades, this topic has been debated in the public court of opinion ranging from students, college and universities, state and federal governments, and...

In the past 10 days, we have seen major new guidance for schools from the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Public Health, guidance from the Illinois Department of Labor on time-off and flexibility for vaccinations, and more. Join your trusted Franczek COVID team for a fast-paced, lively discussion of all the most important news on COVID-19 that school leaders need t...

Diversity and inclusion goals established within your school district for recruitment, hiring, and retention are keys to improving district diversity and support for all students. In this episode, we discuss the benefits of diversity in the workplace and its impact on student achievement, reducing bias in recruiting and hiring, supporting diverse employees in the workplace, and best practices for...