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Supreme Court Clarifies Educational Progress Standard for Students in Special Education

In a much anticipated decision, a unanimous United States Supreme Court has ruled that under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) must be reasonably calculated to enable a child with a disability to make appropriate educational progress in light of the child's circumstances.

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Supreme Court Returns Transgender Student Rights Case to Lower Court

On March 6, 2017, the United States Supreme Court sent the case of Virginia transgender high school student Gavin Grimm back to an appellate court, which must now consider the case and the parties' arguments "in light of the guidance document issued by the Department of Education and Department of Justice on February 22, 2017" that rescinded the Obama administration's May 2016 guidance on transgen

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California Public Records Act Applies to Private Accounts

Emails, text messages and other written communications sent to or from a public official's private account may be subject to disclosure under the California Public Records Act (CPRA), the California Supreme Court ruled unanimously in a highly anticipated decision published on March 2, 2017.

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In Service Dog Case, Supreme Court Holds that IDEA Procedures Need Not Be Exhausted if Complaint not Related to Denial of FAPE

On February 22, 2017, the United States Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in Fry v. Napoleon Community Schools (2017) 580 U.S. ___ (Fry) that is expected to have a profound effect on the way lawsuits that arise under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Sect

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New Federal Guidance Regarding Transgender Students Will Not Impact California Schools

Under new leadership following the 2016 presidential election, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Education (DOE) issued a joint "Dear Colleague" letter on February 22, 2017 withdrawing the Obama administration's May 2016 letter and guidance regarding transgender st

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Change in Law May Require Shift to Even-Year Elections

In September 2015, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 415. SB 415, which becomes operative on January 1, 2018, prohibits political subdivisions from holding odd-year regular elections if a prior odd-year election resulted in a "significant decrease in voter turnout," as defined by statute.

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Court Reaffirms Undocumented Students' Eligibility for Higher Education Aid Programs

The Second District Court of Appeal has rejected arguments that sought to bar the University of California (UC) from making certain financial aid programs available to undocumented students.

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County Boards of Education May Not Exempt Charter Schools from Local Zoning Regulations

A California Court of Appeal has held that a county board of education may not grant exemptions from zoning ordinances under Government Code section 53094.

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Closely Watched Charter School Decision Becomes Binding Precedent

The Third District Court of Appeal’s decision in Anderson Union High School District v. Shasta Secondary Home School (2016) 4 Cal.App.5th 262 (Anderson) is now binding law in California.

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