Category Archives: Educational policy

A Crisis In Childhood Literacy: How A Legislative Response Is Bringing Phonics Back To K-12 Education in Wisconsin, by Evan Ploeckelman

Posted on March 10, 2025 by Hager Jordan

How did you learn to read in elementary school? If you went through the K-12 education system within the last two decades, you may have learned to read using a whole language method – learning to read through the context … Continue reading →

Posted in Educational policy, public education, school curriculum, teacher training | Comments Off on A Crisis In Childhood Literacy: How A Legislative Response Is Bringing Phonics Back To K-12 Education in Wisconsin, by Evan Ploeckelman

When Schools Break the Rules: The Legal Implications of Informal Suspensions, by Joyce Harduvel

Posted on March 7, 2025 by Hager Jordan

“Alyssa is having a really tough day and needs you to come pick her up so he can start fresh tomorrow.” This type of call home is a tool that some schools use regularly as a classroom management strategy. Instead … Continue reading →

Posted in Educational policy, public education, school discipline, Section 504, special education | Comments Off on When Schools Break the Rules: The Legal Implications of Informal Suspensions, by Joyce Harduvel

11th Annual Education Law: A Year In Review

Posted on October 23, 2024 by Hager Jordan

By Jordan Hager & Brent Villasenor Loyola University Chicago’s Education Law & Policy Institute hosted over 200 legal professionals, educators, and community members at the 11th Annual “Education Law: A Year In Review” seminar on June 12, 2024. Hosted by … Continue reading →

Posted in bullying, Educational policy, public education, school curriculum, school discipline, special education, Title IX | Comments Off on 11th Annual Education Law: A Year In Review

Lowering Substitute Teacher Requirements: A Solution to the Shortage

Posted on August 6, 2024 by Brent Villasenor

By: Ibtesam Mustafa Teachers are absent for an average of 6% of the school year — this is where substitutes step in. Substitute teachers are critical to a school’s daily operation. They give teachers a sense of security, knowing their … Continue reading →

Posted in Educational equity, Educational policy, public education, teacher training | Comments Off on Lowering Substitute Teacher Requirements: A Solution to the Shortage

Preschool Doesn’t Improve Test Scores: Why That’s Good, by John Groden

Posted on June 22, 2023 by Joseph Larimer

Preschool attendance does not actually improve standardized test scores. This recent finding seems to fly in the face of decades of research, advocacy, and common sense. It also calls into question the billions of dollars that federal, state, and local … Continue reading →

Posted in Educational policy, Preschool, public education, school curriculum | Comments Off on Preschool Doesn’t Improve Test Scores: Why That’s Good, by John Groden

The Federal Government’s Role in Ending Exclusionary Discipline, by Jessi Dixon

Posted on October 15, 2022 by Miranda Johnson

The federal government has an essential role in protecting students of color. School discipline policies and procedures have an adverse impact on the educational outcomes of students. According to a 2018 report from the Center for Promise, harsh school discipline … Continue reading →

Posted in Educational policy | Tagged | Comments Off on The Federal Government’s Role in Ending Exclusionary Discipline, by Jessi Dixon

Don’t Say Gay Bills are Disastrous for Teachers & Students by Aaron Dean

Posted on August 9, 2022 by Miranda Johnson

Elementary school student Kellan’s family looks a little different from the average family living in Sarasota, Florida and he’s used to fielding invasive questions from his classmates. Kellan has two dads, a concept that can be puzzling for the curious … Continue reading →

Posted in Educational equity, Educational policy, LGBTQ+ | Tagged | Comments Off on Don’t Say Gay Bills are Disastrous for Teachers & Students by Aaron Dean

Critical Race Theory and Higher Education’s Newest Battle Over Tenure and Academic Freedom by Elizabeth Becker

Posted on August 9, 2022 by Miranda Johnson

Since January of 2021, state legislatures have proposed over 100 bills limiting teaching in classrooms. These topics include race, American history, gender identity, sexual orientation, politics, and Critical Race Theory (understanding the social constructs of race and the systemic barriers … Continue reading →

Posted in critical race theory, Educational policy, First Amendment | Comments Off on Critical Race Theory and Higher Education’s Newest Battle Over Tenure and Academic Freedom by Elizabeth Becker

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

Posted on October 18, 2021 by Miranda Johnson

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

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

Posted on June 19, 2021 by Miranda Johnson

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