Tag Archives: education

Sliding into Litigation

Devastating death

For most parents, it may be considered one of the greatest hopes or expectations that while under the supervision of educators, their children are safe.  To ensure total general safety, parents may anticipate that their child’s school upholds every reasonable standard.  Following a February 6 injury involving a corkscrew slide at the Rose Springs Elementary School in Idaho, this practical expectation was compromised.  The parents of a now-deceased 8-year-old child have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Idaho school district that may be held liable for the incident.

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A Student’s Fight

Injured student

To effectively illustrate the practical application of an educational theory or concept, teachers may often incorporate tangible or realistic examples.  On May 2, 2022, a former science teacher at Volcano Vista High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico brought two swords into the classroom to demonstrate a lesson on metal and melding.  Rather than simply showing the swords to the class, the teacher instructed the students to duel with one another.  The two weapons were katana- and rapier-style swords and did not resemble props.  The level of probable danger might not have been anticipated, as one student was injured.

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Fight for Freedom

Technological impacts

In Texas, a newly introduced TikTok ban and its apparent subsequent restraints on the ability to exercise full academic freedom is the subject of a recent lawsuit filed by the group, The Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University.  Academic freedom not only affords the opportunity for professors to conduct research and teach an array of topics and ideas without the fear of censure, but also allows students to engage in thought processes and debates without the anxiety of potential retaliation.  The lawsuit names Texas Governor Greg Abbott and additional state entities and public university personnel as defendants. 

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District Learns Lesson

Teacher learning to cope

A Newport News, VA teacher has filed a $40 million lawsuit against her previous employer, Richneck Elementary School.  Specifically, the teacher has named defendants, including the Newport News School Board, the superintendent of schools, principal, and assistant principal.  According to the educator, who is seeking a jury trial in the case, claims that despite the multiple warnings and suspicions provided to her superiors, she was placed in imminent danger in her position at the school.  One of her minor elementary school students shot her, causing subsequent pain and anguish. Continue reading

Access Denied for Some Students

School board decision

Earlier this year, in March, former students sued a San Francisco school board of education citing Brown Act violations. Specifically, members of the Friends of Lowell Foundation have alleged that the decision to alter existing merit-based admissions standards was secretly conducted and failed to offer adequate opportunities for community engagement and analysis. The Brown Act enforces government operated or funded entities, such as the school district and the San Francisco Board of Education, to discuss business measures in open meetings. The Friends of Lowell Foundation has now teamed up with two additional associations to request an injunction related to the case. Continue reading