Author Archives: Miranda Johnson

What Does the Mahanoy Decision Mean for Off-Campus Speech and Title IX?, by Jenny Lee

Can schools discipline students for what they post online? While the classic lawyer’s answer—“It depends”—still applies, the window has just gotten a bit narrower. In June, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a former high school cheerleader who was … Continue reading

Posted in Educational policy, Federal intervention, First Amendment | Tagged | Comments Off on What Does the Mahanoy Decision Mean for Off-Campus Speech and Title IX?, by Jenny Lee

After COVID, Foster Youth Need Educational Advocates More Than Ever, by Joanne Curley

Across the country, a child is removed from their home and placed in foster care every two minutes. Not all children in foster care have endured the same level of maltreatment, but they all experience some level of trauma when … Continue reading

Posted in Educational equity, Federal intervention, foster youth, public education | Tagged | Comments Off on After COVID, Foster Youth Need Educational Advocates More Than Ever, by Joanne Curley

Transgender Youth Participation in Sports: Their Right Under Equal Protection, by Lilian Winters

Sports. We follow them, watch them, and, above all, we talk about them. We shout at the screen during an intense play and cheer among the crowd as our team scores. We talked about Kaepernick taking a knee and Lance … Continue reading

Posted in Educational equity, Federal intervention, public education | Comments Off on Transgender Youth Participation in Sports: Their Right Under Equal Protection, by Lilian Winters

School’s Out: The Importance of Time Spent Outdoors During the School Day, by Kathleen McGivney

  Our usual way of life was upended during the pandemic. People stayed home from work and school and found themselves looking for anything to do. For many, the answer was simple – go outside. There is evidence that exposure to … Continue reading

Posted in Educational equity, public education, school curriculum | Tagged | Comments Off on School’s Out: The Importance of Time Spent Outdoors During the School Day, by Kathleen McGivney

Did you know that School Recess has Healing Power!?, by Viswa Senthilkumar

Parents, educators, and legislators are focused on post-COVID “learning loss” instead of healing and learning from the loss. When my brain is too tired from constantly working for hours, I give it a break. There is a coffee/tea break, lunch … Continue reading

Posted in Educational policy | Comments Off on Did you know that School Recess has Healing Power!?, by Viswa Senthilkumar

Student Surveillance – Beneficial or Dystopian?, by Essence Hill

Imagine being transported to an elementary school twenty years ago. Before the average student had personal cell phones. The only camera on campus was perched at the front door of the building to monitor who entered and exited. Teachers were … Continue reading

Posted in Educational policy, School policing | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Student Surveillance – Beneficial or Dystopian?, by Essence Hill

Loyola Chicago Top in the Country for Education Law Offerings

Based on a national survey of law schools, prominent educational researcher Dr. Perry Zirkel recently found that Loyola University Chicago School of Law appeared to offer the highest number of education law courses.  Loyola Chicago was rated ahead of Harvard … Continue reading

Posted in Institute Updates and Activities | Comments Off on Loyola Chicago Top in the Country for Education Law Offerings

Moving Beyond Suspension: School District Considerations for Student Drug Use, by Jennifer Sabourin

As states like Illinois legalize or decriminalize the use of marijuana for medical and recreational purposes, how school districts discipline students (and staff) who use cannabis must evolve accordingly.  Under federal law, the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), marijuana is classified … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Moving Beyond Suspension: School District Considerations for Student Drug Use, by Jennifer Sabourin

Work Like a Dog: Service Animals in Schools, by Jennifer Babisak

Peacocks attempting to board airplanes and longhorns on leashes barging into pet stores make for interesting news stories and plenty of comedy fodder. But these outrageous animal stunts serve as a hindrance to people who depend on service animals to … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Work Like a Dog: Service Animals in Schools, by Jennifer Babisak

School Bell Tolls on Employee Expression: Teachers’ First Amendment Rights, by Jennifer Babisak

Jennifer Babisak is a part-time law student at Loyola University Chicago School of Law and a student in Loyola’s Education Law Practicum Continue reading

Posted in First Amendment | Comments Off on School Bell Tolls on Employee Expression: Teachers’ First Amendment Rights, by Jennifer Babisak