Education Law Center

March News: School says it will call the police rather than enroll student; ELC hosts Dr. Monique Morris; the national school nurse shortage
Attorneys talk school discipline for students with disabilities
ELC Staff attorney Cheryl Kleiman presented on the rights of students with disabilities in the school discipline process this month, joining State Rep. Dan Miller and the PEAL Center at the annual Disability & Mental Health Summit in Pittsburgh.
ELC on Pennsylvania budget passage: "underlying problems remain unaddressed"
Executive Director Deborah Gordon Klehr issued a statement on Governor Wolf's decision not to veto the state legislature's budget package. "The General Assembly has once again failed to meet its constitutional responsibility to maintain a system of thorough and efficient education that serves our children."
Ensuring Access: ELC stands up for unlawful removal of student with autism
Recently, we were notified about "Steven," a 17-year-old student with autism enrolled in a school district in central Pennsylvania. After his mother moved, he remained with his grandparents in the same school district. His grandparents informed the school that they are now his guardians. To their surprise, the principal told them that Steven could no longer remain a student - without providing any written notice or other due process. The principal went so far as to threaten Steven with police action if he returned to school.

Steven's grandparents contacted ELC, and we threatened to file suit if the school continued to deny him due process. Thanks to ELC's intervention, the district eventually dropped the matter entirely and let Steven continue his education.
Following successful event in Pittsburgh, ELC to cohost roundtable on school discipline for Black girls in Philadelphia
Dr. Monique Morris joined the ELC team in Pittsburgh for a discussion on her new book, "Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools" earlier this month. 
As part of ELC's continued work to create positive school climates, a second conversation with Dr. Morris will be hosted in Philadelphia on Monday, April 4th. The roundtable will focus on the challenges Black girls face in public schools - from inappropriate pushout policies and practices to barriers to academic achievement.
Tuesday call to discuss exclusionary discipline for youngest learners
ELC will be hosting a  Pennsylvania School Climate Coalition conference call this Tuesday, March 29th, at 3:00 p.m.  The call is open to the public and will focus on exclusionary discipline practices in preschool through third grade.                                
The school nurse shortage: ELC quoted in U.S. News 
ELC Senior Staff Attorney Maura McInerney is quoted in an article in U.S. News & World Report describing the country's nationwide school nurse shortage. Less than half of the country's public schools employ a full-time nurse, and far fewer are available in poor, urban school districts. 
Join the Campaign for Fair Education Funding
Alongside 50 organizations across Pennsylvania, ELC is a leading member of the Campaign for Fair Education Funding. Click below to read more about our efforts to ensure that every student has access to a quality education no matter where he or she lives.
United Way Donor Choice Codes: 1873 (Southeastern PA); 4547 (Allegheny County)

A copy of the Education Law Center's official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.  
Ensuring access to a quality public education for all children in Pennsylvania
 
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