2020-21
Education Law Center’s COVID-19 Resource Page
December 2020
The 74
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
12/10: Students fight for right to vote on Philadelphia’s school board
Philadelphia Eagles
Pennsylvania Capital-Star
November 2020
Lehigh Valley Live
11/9: Homeless Bethlehem mom invokes 33-year-old law in fight to keep her kids in same school
October 2020
The Morning Call
Deseret News
10/26: Credit where credit is due: How juvenile justice fails kids in custody academically
September 2020
The Philadelphia Inquirer
WITF
9/24: Children bullied for race and gender now have broader leeway to sue in Pa.
The Sanatoga Post
9/22: Center Publishes Online Guide for School Parents
The Philadelphia Inquirer
9/21: Juvenile abuse bill prompted by Glen Mills investigation passes House
August 2020
The Washington Post
The Imprint
8/11: Advocates Fear COVID-19 is Leaving Foster Youth Further Behind in School
The Herald Star
8//6: Schools go round and round on bus plans
July 2020
The Dallas Post
7/17: DePasquale: Pandemic exposes education inequity, adds risk to sports
Public Source
June 2020
Public Source
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
6/11: Movement for police-free schools reaches Philadelphia
Public Source
May 2020
Pennsylvania Capital-Star
5/29: PA. Lawmakers Beef Up School Safety Grant Fund To Pay For Masks, Gloves In Pandemic
The Tribune Democrat
5/28: $25.8B short-term state budget approved by General Assembly
Next City
5/27: The Remote School Year Is Almost Over. Here’s How Philly Schools Fared
Public News Service
5/22: Education Rights Still in Force During Pandemic
April 2020
The Morning Call
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
4/24: District to state: Stop austerity before it starts
90.5 WESA
4/15: School Leaders Say It Will Take A Long Time For Students To Make Up For COVID Closures
The Daily Item
4/13: Closure of schools create extra worries for families with special education students
The Daily Item
4/10: Local schools get to decide how tough to grade during closing
Philadelphia Weekly
March 2020
Myhighplains
3/30: When are schools opening up? After social distancing extension, it could be a while
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
3/24: Philly to buy laptops for needy students for virtual classes during shutdown
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
3/18: Hite clarifies ban on ‘remote instruction’ during shutdown
February 2020
WHYY
2/26: Speaking Mam in MAGA country: Immigration, education and the teenage boy in the middle
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
2/5: Philly charters say Wolf’s budget proposals would devastate them
January 2020
TribLive
1/27: Pennsylvania watches as Supreme Court considers public support for parochial schools
Generosity
1/13: Power Moves: Jessica Attie joins Education Law Center
December 2019
BCTV
12/27: Court Advances Suit Against Glenn Mills School
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
12/4: Judge rejects petition to charterize all of Chester, calling it ‘premature’
November 2019
Pennsylvania Capital-Star
11/26: November is National Youth Homelessness Prevention Month. Here’s how you can help | Opinion
Associated Press
11/9: How ZIP codes determine the quality of a child’s education
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
11/1: Report recommends change in how Pa. special education dollars are allocated
October 2019
The Morning Call
Dust + Dignity Podcast
10/24: Ep. 6 Deborah Gordon Klehr
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
10/3: City Council passes bills outlawing discrimination against gender non-conforming youth
September 2019
Public Source
9/19: What level of access should city police have to Pittsburgh Schools?
Kensington Voice
9/05: How districts, schools, and educators can support English learners in the classroom
August 2019
Delco Daily Times
8/1: Wolf announces reforms in wake of Glen Mills saga
July 2019
Penn Live
7/28: Lunch-shaming must end | PennLive letters
Public News Service
7/26: New Law Gives PA Foster Kids a College Boost
Altoona Mirror
7/21: District may arm trained civilians
Allentown Morning Call
7/17: Tamaqua school board takes controversial policy to arm teachers back to the drawing board
Philadelphia Public School Notebook
7/15: Report urges improvements in policies for pregnant and parenting teens
Campus Safety
7/12: P.A. Governor Signs Bill Arming School Security Personnel
Times Leader
7/9: In shift from past, state boosts special ed funding more than basic ed
Pennsylvania Capital-Star
7/5: In 2017, Pa. lawmakers outlawed ‘lunch shaming.’ Now, alternative meals are back.
The Philadelphia Inquirer
7/5: Does new Pa. law ban arming teachers? Depends on whom you ask.
June 2019
Pennsylvania Capital-Star
6/27: Armed teachers in Pa.’s schools? Groups on both sides of the gun debate say Senate bill would allow it
Pennsylvania Capital-Star
6/26: Here’s what Pennsylvania’s public education advocates think of this year’s budget plan
FOX56
6/25: Legislation could give PA schools the option of armed security guards
Local CBS 21 News
6/24: Bill to put armed guards back in PA schools debated in Congress
The Morning Call
6/12: Hundreds of Lehigh Valley parents still cited for kids’ truancy, though fewer under new law
Pennsylvania Capital-Star
6/11: Tell your legislator to support this Pa. Senate bill that keeps kids on track to a high school diploma | Opinion
Local CBS 21 News
6/11: Project PA: Foster Youth Fight for Education Rights
Pennsylvania Capital-Star
6/5: Pa.’s ‘have not’ school districts are falling farther behind. Lawmakers, Wolf need to close the gap | Opinion
Education Week
6/5: Trump Administration to End Schooling, Recreation, Legal Aid for Migrant Children in Shelters
May 2019
Pennsylvania Capital-Star
5/31: With Title IX under fire, Pa.’s anti-discrimination law may provide an alternative remedy | Opinion
Lancaster Online
5/30: Supreme Court decision means Elanco school board needs to face reality, accommodate transgender students [opinion]
Lancaster Online
5/29: SCOTUS decision furthers debate over Elanco’s policy on transgender students
Delco Daily Times
5/20: Guest Column: Education funding: William Penn families finally get day in court
The Philadelphia Public School Notebook
5/15: District Alone Cannot Fix Funding for Students with Disabilities
Lancaster Online
5/13: Elanco school board may change controversial privacy policy tonight before going into effect Tuesday
The Philadelphia Public School Notebook
5/7: Public demands that Council invest in schools
Philadelphia Inquirer
5/6: End abatements, air-condition the schools, say Philly teachers, parents pushing for more education money
April 2019
Philadelphia Inquirer
4/30: Pa. lawmakers push bigger tax credits for private-school scholarships; public-ed advocates object
KQED (The California Report)
4/30: How California Teens Wound Up at Pennsylvania School Accused of Battering Students
The Citizens’ Voice
4/28: As special education costs soar, state fails to keep up
Standard Speaker
4/24: Hazleton Area making strides, still work to be done
Philadelphia Inquirer
4/23: Charges dismissed against former Glen Mills counselor; another awaits trial
The Philadelphia Public School Notebook
4/17: Two rejected charters submit revised applications to Board of Education amid push for more oversight
Philadelphia Inquirer
4/11: Glen Mills Schools, state officials sued by national legal center over abuse, failing to educate
March 2019
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
3/15: Teachers and students call for more resources for growing English Learner population
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
3/11: Advocates say too many Special Ed students are not prepared for life after school
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
3/5: ELC report says charters are more segregated, serve relatively fewer students with the highest needs
Penn Capital-Star
3/4: Education group wants Wolf to prevent Corbett-appointed charter school board from making rulings
90.5 WESA
3/1: What’s At Stake When There’s A Language Barrier Between Families And Schools?
February 2019
Philadelphia Inquirer
2/22: Pa.’s budget must address glaring inequities in school funding | Opinion
Metro
2/17: At least 70 youths are removed from Glen Mills boarding following abuse allegations
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
2/11: State’s Charter Appeal Board still run by Corbett appointees
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
2/5: Gov. Wolf’s budget: Good for education, but more is needed, advocates say
January 2019
Open Minds
1/20: Pennsylvania Report Alleges Inadequate Oversight Of Residential Foster Care Placements
WHYY
1/16: Youth in Pa. residential institutions unsafe, disconnected, denied quality education
Public News Service
1/7: Educators Urge Wolf to Up Funding for Special Education
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
1/3: ELC asks Wolf to increase funding for special education
December 2018
The Philadelphia Public School Notebook
12/19: Advocates blast federal commission report’s discipline recommendations
The Hechinger Report
12/13: New report underscores education problems in institutions for foster youth
Lancaster Online
12/12: Bonus allocations another disappointing twist in state education funding
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
12/11: New hires make it easier to return to school
Public News Service
12/6: A Win for PA Students with Disabilities
The Philadelphia Tribune
12/5: Pennsylvania pressing schools to ensure special-ed students aren’t on their own
Philadelphia Inquirer
12/5: Two Philly homeless students were denied an adequate education. Now, there are statewide ripples.
Education drive
12/4: Philanthropists have long favored ed — for better and worse
Generocity
12/4: Power Moves: Philly’s LGBTQ board prep program picked its inaugural class
November 2018
The Philadelphia Tribune
11/19: Education Law Center names new policy director
The Hechinger Report
11/10: Institutions for foster kids aren’t doing enough to educate them
October 2018
Allentown Morning Call
10/29: SPECIAL REPORT: As costs skyrocket, Pennsylvania’s share of special education funding has fallen
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
10/15: In appeal of closure vote, Eastern charter school questions District’s oversight
Chalkbeat Philadelphia & Keystone Crossroads
10/9: Skyrocketing Pa. special ed costs falling heavily on school districts, taxpayers
September 2018
Delco Daily Times
9/23: Editorial: New school year, old funding problem
Philadelphia Public School Notebook
9/12: Extra info can help some gain admission
August 2018
Philadelphia Public Record
8/30: POLS ON THE STREET: Can Schools Sue Their Way to Funding?
Philadelphia Inquirer
8/21: Landmark Pa. school-funding lawsuit appears headed to trial
Public News Service
8/6: Help Available for At-Risk Early Learners
July 2018
Philadelphia Inquirer
7/26: She says her granddaughter’s acceptance to Philly charter was rescinded because of her special-education status
Philadelphia Public School Notebook
7/19: Franklin Towne accused of discriminating against special needs student
The Morning Call
7/9: Gap between rich and poor Pa. school districts has grown, lawsuit says
June 2018
Philadelphia Inquirer
6/28: Overcoming ‘a bureaucratic demolition of human rights,’ an intellectually disabled woman finds son taken at birth
Lancaster Online
6/17: Local clergy to join rally to draw attention to inequitable education funding
May 2018
Philadelphia Inquirer
5/17: ‘We should have done more to protect you.’ Kids in placement describe abuse, isolation and lack of education
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
5/7: Court allows historic school funding case to proceed
Keystone Crossroads
5/1: Suburban schools’ residency enforcement mostly affects kids of color
April 2018
Public News Service
4/12: Education Advocates Call for Boost in Special-Ed Funding
Jewish Exponent
4/11: ‘Don’t Make Assumptions’ on Gender Identity
March 2018
TribbLive
3/15: Lawyer offers Pennsylvania lawmakers a different take on school security
Philadelphia Public School Notebook
3/7: Commonwealth Court hears arguments in school funding case
Generocity
3/6: Meet the chiefs: The women leading Philly’s public interest law organizations
PublicSource
3/6: Why the debate about school safety and increased security may exacerbate the school-to-prison pipeline
PennLive
3/3: Wolf, lawmakers need to step up for students with disabilities
February 2018
TribLive
2/22: Trump’s proposal to arm teachers would face legal, union opposition in Pennsylvania
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
2/21: Case tests whether districts must protect students from bullying under Pa. law
Keystone Crossroads
2/6: Gov. Wolf emphasizes education, but scales back funding ambitions during final first term budget address
January 2018
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
1/25: Wolf asks court to expedite school funding lawsuit; GOP leaders reiterate opposition
Philadelphia Inquirer
1/19: Unionville-Chadds Ford district to revisit suspension policy
December 2017
Public News Service
12/13: School Voucher Bills Called a Bad Deal for PA Schools
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
12/12: Parents, local advocates call for more school police accountability after incident at Solis-Cohen Elementary School
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
12/5: How we are failing the city’s foster children
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
12/1: U.S. Civil Rights Office to investigate bullying complaint
October 2017
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
10/23: State: Philadelphia violated rights of at least 800 young students
York Daily Record
10/11: Pa. Supreme Court likely to change how we fund schools
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
10/2: State truancy law amended to improve attendance, prevent jail time for parents
Public News Service
10/2: Court Rules PA Parents Can Challenge State Education Funding
Keystone State Education Coalition
10/1: PA schoolchildren will have their day in court!
September 2017
THE 74
9/28: Pennsylvania Supreme Court Rules School Funding Inequity Lawsuit Must Go to Trial
Keystone Crossroads
9/28: Those challenging fairness of Pa. school funding will have day in court
The Citizens’ Voice
9/28: PA Supreme Court orders trial on public school funding
Philadelphia Inquirer
9/28: Pa. Supreme Court opens door to school funding overhaul
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
9/28: In victory for advocates, Supreme Court rules that school funding lawsuit can go ahead
Education Week
9/28: Pennsylvania Supreme Court Orders School Funding Trial
August 2017
Generocity
8/22: We are the counter force
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
8/1: Court settlement finalized with Pine-Richland regarding transgender bathrooms
July 2017
WHYY
7/27: Philly schools failing to prevent bullying of disabled students, complaint alleges
Keystone Crossroads
7/20: Refugee education lawsuit will cost Lancaster schools more than $600K next year
NBC Sunday Night With Megyn Kelly
7/9: Deborah Gordon Klehr in charter school interview with NBC’
Philadelphia Tribune
7/8: City’s public schools, education beneficiaries of new state budget
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
7/7: School Reform Commission approves new in-house special education program
Public News Service
7/6: State Education Budget Called Better, But Still Short
June 2017
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
6/22: Pa. Guidelines for School Discipline May Change
WHYY
6/21: Op-ed: Permitting Concealed Guns in Pa. Schools Would Make Kids Less Safe
Pittsburgh NPR News Station
6/20: Advocates Push for Limiting Suspensions in Early Grades, While PPS Board Weighs Options
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
6/13: Thursday’s SRC meeting: 112 pages of resolutions, dozens of new policies
May 2017
Delco Daily Times
5/7: Editorial: The shameful inequity in Pa. school funding
WHYY
5/3: Advocates want the district to end suspensions of elementary school students
Philadelphia Inquirer
5/1: Letter: Re-think placing children in a facility like Wordsworth
April 2017
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
4/27: Advocates seek ban on suspensions of young students
Keystone Crosswords
4/27: Quirk in Pa. charter law cripples traditional districts while giving charters ‘cash cow’
Philadelphia Tribune
4/5: State bill would halt suspensions up to sixth grade
March 2017
LancasterOnline
3/29: School District of Lancaster settles refugee lawsuit, ending legal battle with ACLU
The Sentinel
3/28: Letter: “Inner city” comments by Eichelberger ‘vitriolic’
PennLive
3/26: Lawmakers need to come through for school kids this #PABudget season
WITF and Keystone Crossroads
3/23: Keystone Crossroads: Education Equity
Public News Service
3/15: Report Finds PA School Funding Inadequate, Unfair
Philadelphia Tribune
3/10: New education report slams Pennsylvania school funding
February 2017
Newsworks WHYY
2/13: Can we call it a comeback for Philly Catholic schools?
FindLaw
2/9: Refugee Students Can Go to International School Under EEOA
Public Opinion
2/8: Local lawmakers open-minded to governor’s budget proposal
Public News Service
2/8: Tight State Budget Proposal Boosts Education
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
2/7: Higher education gets little in Wolf’s budget; $100 million more proposed for K-12
January 2017
The Philadelphia Tribune
1/28: State Dept. of Education requests feedback
The Chronicle of Social Change
1/27: California Fails to Comply with Federal Law Aimed at Improving Foster Youth’s Educational Stability
Philadelphia Inquirer
1/18: In Philadelphia, public-school advocates cringe at DeVos hearing, while school-choice supporters see opportunity
December 2016
LancasterOnline
12/8: School District of Lancaster: ACLU wants nearly $2M to recoup refugee education lawsuit costs
November 2016
Philadelphia Inquirer
11/13: Under improved truancy law, Pa. parents still face jail and even higher fines
October 2016
The Legal Intelligencer
10/21: The ELC Protects Students Learning to Speak English
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
10/20: English learners caught in competition for funding
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
10/9: Penn Hills hoodie ban lifted, but questions remain
September 2016
Philadelphia Inquirer
9/14: High court hears education-funding case in Philly
August 2016
PhillyVoice
8/26: Refugees allowed to go to Lancaster school after judge rules ‘the law is clear’
PennLive
8/26: Refugees win lawsuit allowing them to attend Lancaster high school
Newsworks WHYY
8/19: Philly will no longer suspend kindergarten students
Philadelphia Inquirer
8/19: SRC curtails suspensions for kindergartners and dress code violators
LancasterOnline
8/17: Refugee students testify about education at Phoenix Academy: ‘Even if I graduate, I will know nothing’
LancasterOnline
8/16: District’s attorney: Refugee students aren’t getting academic help because they ‘aren’t asking for it’
July 2016
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
7/19: Federal lawsuit filed against Lancaster district for its treatment of older immigrant students
June 2016
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
6/17: Does Pa. provide a ‘thorough and efficient’ education? A panel considers.
May 2016
Philadelphia Inquirer
5/23: Letter to the Editor: Make Philadelphia Schools Safe Havens
Public News Service
5/4: Educators Call for Permanent Funding Formula
Philadelphia Tribune
5/3: School advocates press support for new funding formula
April 2016
Philadelphia Inquirer
4/28: School advocates to state: Add cash to new funding formula
Philadelphia Inquirer
4/20: Letters: Ease up on school suspensions
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
4/17: Western Pa. schools craft policies to protect transgender students
YouthToday
4/7: Will ESSA Raise College Access, Track Graduation Rates for Foster Youth?
March 2016
US News and World Report
3/23: Many School Districts Don’t Have Enough School Nurses
Delaware County Times
3/17: Haverford board votes to support William Penn School District in lawsuit
Chalk Beat NY
3/8: Beyond the viral video: Inside educators’ emotional debate about ‘no excuses’ discipline
February 2016
Philadelphia Tribune
2/19: High court ruling on SRC power could be far reaching
Chalkbeat Philadelphia
2/17: Reactions to court decision stripping SRC of special powers
The Patriot News
2/17: Impact of court decision on Philly charter schools extends beyond that city’s borders, group say
Philadelphia Tribune
2/16: Officials talk about aging city school buildings
Philly.com
2/16: School funding crisis deserves its day in court
December 2015
Delaware County Daily Times
12/7: Guest Column: Pa.’s budget impasse spells disaster for the most needy