Justia Education Law Opinion Summaries

Two married tenured professors at California State University, Chico alleged that they were subjected to harassment and discrimination by their department chair, with one professor experiencing conduct targeted at her gender and Korean ancestry. Despite their reports to university administration, the university did not intervene. As a result, one professor suffered serious mental health consequences, leading their doctor to recommend that she not work in the same environment as the chair. The university’s lack of response allegedly forced both professors to resign and accept positions at another university. After their resignation, the university initiated an investigation into one professor for an alleged violation of student privacy laws and communicated these allegations to the new employer, which the professors claimed was intended to sabotage their new employment. There were also alleged delays in transferring their lab equipment.The professors filed suit in the Superior Court of Butte County, asserting, among other claims, retaliation and whistleblower retaliation under California law. The university filed a special motion to strike these two causes of action under California’s anti-SLAPP statute, arguing that the claims were based in part on communications protected by the statute. The trial court denied the motion, finding the university’s actions involved an official proceeding but also concluding that the professors demonstrated a likelihood of prevailing on their claims.The California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, reviewed the case and affirmed the trial court’s denial of the anti-SLAPP motion. The appellate court held that the university failed to carry its burden to show that all actions underlying the challenged causes of action were protected activity. The court clarified that the presence of some protected communications within the allegations does not mean the entire cause of action arises from protected activity. The judgment denying the anti-SLAPP motion was therefore affirmed. View "Pechkis v. Trustees of the Cal. State University" on Justia Law

The case involves parents of two children with disabilities, both of whom attend private religious schools in Massachusetts. State law entitles all students with disabilities, including those in private schools, to publicly funded special education services. However, a state regulation requires that while public school students can receive these services at their school of enrollment, private school students may only receive them at a public school or another public or neutral location. The parents, who observe Jewish law and prefer their children’s education be informed by Judaism, found it burdensome and disruptive to transport their children to and from different locations for services and chose to forgo the publicly funded services.The parents sued the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, individual board members, and the commissioner in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. They alleged that the regulation violated the Due Process, Equal Protection, and Privileges or Immunities Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment by interfering with their fundamental right to direct the upbringing and education of their children. The district court dismissed the complaint for failure to state a claim under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6).On appeal, the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed the dismissal. The Court held that while parents have a fundamental right to choose private schooling, the regulation does not restrict that right but merely defines the terms under which the state provides public benefits. The regulation does not ban or penalize private schooling or deprive meaningful access to it. Instead, it survives rational basis review because it is rationally related to the legitimate state interest of providing special education services while complying with the Massachusetts Constitution’s prohibition on aiding private schools. The court also rejected the Equal Protection and Privileges or Immunities claims. View "Hellman v. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education" on Justia Law

Two students with disabilities, their parents, and an advocacy organization brought a lawsuit against the Virginia Department of Education and the Fairfax County School Board. The plaintiffs alleged systemic violations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), claiming that the defendants deprived eligible students of a free appropriate public education (FAPE) and failed to provide proper procedural safeguards, including fair due process hearings and impartial hearing officers. The complaint sought declaratory and injunctive relief under the IDEA, as well as constitutional claims for due process and equal protection.The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia reviewed the case. It found that one student, D.C., and his parents had not exhausted IDEA's administrative remedies before filing suit, as they had not pursued a due process hearing regarding their complaints. The other student, M.B., and his parents had a separate, duplicative federal lawsuit pending that addressed the same issues, and the court dismissed their claims to avoid duplicative litigation. The advocacy organization, Hear Our Voices, Inc., was found to lack standing to sue either on behalf of its members or in its own right, as it had not identified any member with a viable claim and its alleged injury was not sufficient to confer organizational standing.On appeal, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's rulings. The appellate court held that the exhaustion requirement of the IDEA applied to all claims, regardless of whether they were statutory or constitutional in nature and regardless of whether the claims were alleged to be systemic. It also affirmed the dismissal of duplicative claims and found the advocacy organization lacked both representational and organizational standing. The judgment of the district court was affirmed. View "D.C. v. Fairfax County School Board" on Justia Law

Dr. Lana Foster, a lifelong resident of Echols County, Georgia, was among the first Black students and later one of the first Black educators in the county’s school district. Over the years, she experienced various forms of racial discrimination, including being reassigned to a less desirable teaching position and being stripped of leadership duties, which led her to sue the school district. That lawsuit was settled in 2011, with the district agreeing to reinstate her role and pay damages. However, Foster alleged continued racial hostility, culminating in her termination in 2018. Subsequent investigations found no probable cause for her firing based on the cited ethical violations. Foster then filed complaints with state and federal agencies, resulting in another settlement in 2020 that required the district to revise its hiring practices and take additional steps to remedy discrimination.Foster later discovered, through an open records request, that the school district had not complied with the settlement's terms. She filed suit in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia against the district, the school board, and several school officials, alleging violations of her rights under federal and state law, including claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1981 and § 1983 for denial of her right to make and enforce contracts based on her race. The district court dismissed some claims but allowed others to proceed, including her § 1981 claim against the individual officials, and denied their motion to dismiss based on qualified immunity.The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit reviewed the denial of qualified immunity. It held that the law was clearly established that government officials may not interfere with contractual rights because of race. The court concluded that uncertainty about possible personal liability under § 1981 does not entitle officials to qualified immunity. The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the district court’s decision denying qualified immunity. View "Foster v. King" on Justia Law

Two blind individuals, after enrolling at a community college in Los Angeles, were approved for disability accommodations, including accessible course materials and technology. Despite these approvals, they faced repeated barriers in accessing required textbooks, online platforms, library resources, and other educational tools. They also experienced difficulties in receiving their approved accommodations, such as accessible test-taking and note-taking support. These obstacles led to their inability to participate fully in their courses and, in one case, being steered away from certain classes due to their disability.After a jury trial in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, the jury found the college district liable on multiple counts and awarded damages for intentional violations of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The district court, however, reduced the damages to only out-of-pocket expenses, concluding that the jury’s award could only be for emotional distress or lost educational opportunities—both of which it believed were not recoverable. The district court also issued injunctive relief. The plaintiffs appealed the reduction of damages.The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reviewed the case. It held that, under Supreme Court precedent, emotional distress damages are not available under Title II of the ADA because the statute’s remedies are coextensive with those of the Rehabilitation Act and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which do not permit such damages. However, the Ninth Circuit concluded that plaintiffs may recover compensatory damages for loss of educational opportunities resulting from ADA violations. The court found that the jury’s award was supported by evidence and the instructions given. The Ninth Circuit reversed the district court’s remittitur, vacated its judgment as to damages, and remanded with instructions to reinstate the original jury awards. View "PAYAN V. LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT" on Justia Law

Several individuals brought lawsuits against New Jersey public school districts, alleging that they were sexually abused by teachers when they were high school students. One plaintiff alleged that a science teacher sexually abused him at the teacher’s home when he was fifteen years old, and claimed the school board was vicariously liable for the abuse and had breached a fiduciary duty. Three other plaintiffs alleged that a different teacher sexually assaulted them during and after school hours, including on school property, and sought to hold the school district vicariously liable under the Child Victims Act.In the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, the trial court denied the school board’s motion to dismiss the vicarious liability and fiduciary duty claims in the first case, but the Appellate Division reversed, holding the claims could not proceed. In the three consolidated cases, the trial court granted the school district’s motion to dismiss, and the Appellate Division affirmed, finding that the statute did not allow for vicarious liability for sexual abuse outside the scope of employment.The Supreme Court of New Jersey reviewed the cases. It held that the relevant provision of the Child Victims Act, N.J.S.A. 59:2-1.3(a)(1), does not categorically bar vicarious liability claims against public entities for sexual abuse by employees outside the scope of employment, and such claims should not be dismissed at the pleading stage. The Court adopted a new standard for determining such liability, requiring a fact-specific inquiry. However, it also held that a public school does not owe a fiduciary duty to a student. The Court affirmed in part and reversed in part the Appellate Division’s decision in the first case, and reversed in the three consolidated cases, remanding all matters for further proceedings under the new standard. View "Simpkins v. South Orange-Maplewood School District" on Justia Law

A university student faced disciplinary action after three fellow students reported separate incidents in which, while intoxicated, he allegedly engaged in nonconsensual and increasingly violent sexual conduct. Following these reports, the student was placed on interim suspension and criminally charged with multiple felonies. The criminal proceedings included a preliminary hearing where two complainants testified under oath and were rigorously cross-examined by the student’s attorney. The criminal case concluded with a plea agreement.While the criminal case was ongoing, the university initiated its own disciplinary process. This included a multi-stage investigation and hearing pursuant to university policy. At the fact-finding hearing, the complainants chose not to testify or participate. The hearing officer relied on the prior sworn testimony from the criminal proceeding and other evidence, ultimately finding the student responsible for violating university policies with respect to two complainants. The student was expelled, and his university appeal was denied.The student then sought review in Alameda County Superior Court, arguing that he was denied due process because he could not cross-examine the complainants at the university hearing and that the university’s delay prejudiced his defense. The superior court denied his petition, finding that due process was satisfied by the opportunity for cross-examination at the criminal proceeding and that the delay was justified and not prejudicial.On appeal, the California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, Division Two, affirmed the superior court’s judgment. The court held that due process does not require live cross-examination of complainants at a university disciplinary hearing when such an opportunity was provided during prior criminal proceedings, and that any procedural delay was supported by good cause and did not result in prejudice to the student. The judgment for the university was affirmed. View "Doe v. Regents of the Univ. of California" on Justia Law

A fifth-grade student, J.S., attended a local Oklahoma elementary school where, in August 2022, the administration implemented a policy segregating fifth-grade students into all-boys and all-girls homerooms. J.S. was placed in the boys’ class, taught by Mr. McClain. During the initial weeks, Mr. McClain allegedly targeted J.S. with severe discipline, derogatory language, and inappropriate sexual comments. After J.S. and his parents complained about this treatment and the sex-segregated policy, J.S. was removed from his classroom and placed on a modified schedule, then ultimately withdrawn from the school by his parents, who cited ongoing retaliation and lack of safety. The parents also filed a Title IX complaint, but alleged that the school’s investigation was inadequate and retaliatory actions followed, including public shaming and further mistreatment of J.S.The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma granted in part and denied in part various defendants’ motions to dismiss, finding some claims barred by qualified immunity but allowing others to proceed. The court found that school district officials and Mr. McClain could not claim qualified immunity on certain equal protection and retaliation claims, but dismissed some due process and conspiracy claims.On appeal, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit reviewed the district court’s denial of qualified immunity. The Tenth Circuit held that school officials were entitled to qualified immunity on the procedural due process claim but not on the equal protection claim related to sex-based class segregation. Principal Anderson and Mr. Blair were properly denied qualified immunity on retaliation claims, while others were dismissed. Mr. McClain was granted qualified immunity on the substantive due process claim but not on the equal protection claim for alleged sexual harassment. The court affirmed in part, reversed in part, dismissed in part for lack of jurisdiction, and remanded for further proceedings. View "Stepp v. Lockhart" on Justia Law

Parents and teachers in California challenged state policies that require schools to keep information about students’ gender transitioning confidential from parents unless the students consent. The parents objected to being excluded from knowledge and decisions regarding their children’s gender presentation at school, especially when those actions conflicted with their religious beliefs or their desire to participate in their children’s mental health care. Several parents described situations in which they were not informed about their children’s gender identity at school until after significant mental health crises occurred. Teachers objected to being compelled to use students’ preferred names and pronouns contrary to the wishes of parents and their own beliefs.The case was initiated in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, where two teachers first challenged district policies. As litigation unfolded, the case expanded to include state officials as defendants and parents as additional plaintiffs. The District Court certified parent and teacher classes, granted summary judgment for the plaintiffs, and entered a permanent injunction that prohibited schools from withholding information from parents and required adherence to parental directions on names and pronouns. The District Court also ordered state-created instructional materials to include notice of the rights protected by the injunction.The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit granted a stay of the injunction pending appeal, expressing procedural concerns about class certification under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23 and skepticism regarding the merits of the constitutional claims.The Supreme Court of the United States vacated the Ninth Circuit’s stay as to the parent plaintiffs, concluding that the parents seeking religious exemptions are likely to succeed on their Free Exercise and Due Process claims. The Court found the parents face irreparable harm and that equities favor them. The procedural objections raised by the Ninth Circuit were deemed unlikely to prevail. The application to vacate was otherwise denied. View "Mirabelli v. Bonta" on Justia Law

Scott Williams was elected to serve on the Addison Community School Board for a six-year term and was chosen by his fellow board members to act as president for one year. During his presidency, Williams had a dispute with a staff member, leading to allegations that he harassed staff and improperly requested confidential information. Following an investigation and resolution drafted by board members, the Board voted to censure Williams and remove him from the presidency. Williams was not informed of the allegations against him before the meeting where his removal was voted upon.Williams filed suit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, alleging, among other claims, a violation of the Fair and Just Treatment clause of the Michigan Constitution and asserting that the school district was liable under respondeat superior. The district court granted summary judgment to the defendants on all claims, including the federal constitutional claims, and denied Williams’s motion for partial summary judgment on his Fair and Just Treatment claim. The district court chose to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the state law claims after dismissing the federal claims.The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit reviewed the case and determined that the district court abused its discretion by retaining supplemental jurisdiction over Williams’s Fair and Just Treatment claim. The appellate court found that the state law claim presented a novel and complex issue under Michigan law, particularly because Michigan courts have not yet determined whether a private right of action exists under the Fair and Just Treatment clause. The court held that, given the dismissal of all federal claims and the complexity of the remaining state constitutional issue, the district court should have declined to exercise supplemental jurisdiction. As a result, the Sixth Circuit vacated the district court’s judgment on the Fair and Just Treatment claim and remanded with instructions to dismiss this claim without prejudice. View "Williams v. Addison Community Schools" on Justia Law