December can be an exciting time for a college student. Exams are over and you can breathe knowing that you are out of school for a few weeks. But for some students, this time can be particularly stressful for one reason…grades. If you are unhappy with an assignment grade, exam grade, or overall course…
Category: School Law
Making the Most of Progress Reports for Special Education Students & Families
It’s that time of year again…the end of the grading period. As many of us know, having lived through it, students receive report cards with their grades at the end of each marking period (typically at the end of each quarter of the school year). At the same time, special education students will be receiving…
What happens if my child is suspended (or expelled)?!
Appealing a school suspension or expulsion in Ohio: What parents should know about the laws on K-12 school discipline There are a few certainties in life. Death and taxes, of course. But equally as certain is the fact that our children will make mistakes. Sometimes those mistakes are made in school, where the consequences might…
Parents: Three Steps to Take to Minimize the Impact of the Columbus City Schools Labor Strike on Your Children
Parents: Three Steps to Take to Minimize the Impact of the Columbus City Schools Labor Strike on Your Children On Sunday, August 21, 2022, the members of the Columbus Education Association (“CEA”) voted overwhelmingly to go on strike, the first in the district since 1975. Classes are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, August 24. The…
HELP! I need to call a lawyer.
5 Things You Need to Know Before Contacting an Attorney Understand Your Deadlines & Call as Soon as You Have Them If you only need to respond with your intent to appeal, do so as soon as possible to start the process. For K12 items, this can generally be done via email to your child’s…
ESY (Extended School Year) Services Denied by School?
What do you do when the school district denies your child with a disability extended school year (ESY) services?
Relief Has Been Denied in Most Anti-Masking Lawsuits Against Schools
Mark Weiker, Esq., Albeit Weiker, LLP Over the last two years, Ohio school boards have become a lightning rod for citizens to unload their personal and political thoughts on almost everything pandemic related. From virtual learning to masking to quarantining, school boards have absorbed the diverse and sometimes raucous opinions of their constituents. Outcomes in…
Homework Helper: Reading and Math Tips
The new school year is upon us and kids are going back to in-person learning. That means that your children will have homework to tackle when they get home. Here are some easy ideas to make homework time less stressful for you and your kids. General Tips Make sure your child has a quiet, well-lit…
Educators should carefully consider school policies regarding masking.
As you prepare your classrooms with supplies, fun stimuli, and all the accoutrements of a cozy room for fostering learning and creativity, let’s hope you also have time to prepare for the 2021-2022 school year mentally; not just for the continued repetitive phrases of “unprecedented times” and “socially distanced,” but also for the difficult…
Understanding Amended Ohio House Bill 244 – The Vaccine Discrimination Bill
With schools, masks, and vaccinations being at the top of many parent’s minds, the recently passed, soon to take effect Amended House Bill (H.B.) 244 has been the subject of much discussion. Set to take effect on October 13, 2021, the relevant amendment of H.B. 244 prohibits public schools from the following: Requiring any individual…
What is NIL and what does it mean for student athletes?
“NIL” has become THE hot acronym in college sports. It stands for “name, image, and likeness”, and describes rights that have now been recognized in Ohio through Executive Order 2021-10d, signed by Governor DeWine on June 28th of this year. The Order went into effect on July 1st. Simply put, Governor DeWine’s action now allows…
Public schools with “mask optional” policies risk losing immunity.
A. The Choice Boards of education in Ohio have been placed in a tough position to start the school year. Boards have been forced to choose whether to require masks for their students and employees. Schools were placed in this position because the state legislature effectively removed the power of the Governor and the…