In April 2024, the U.S. Department of Education issued the 2024 Title IX Final Rule on sex-based harassment and discrimination (the “Final Rule”). The implementation
Continue Reading Visit Shipman’s Title IX Resource CenterJessica Richman Smith
Jessica represents schools in a variety of education, labor relations and employment law matters. She negotiates certified and non-certified collective bargaining agreements on behalf of numerous public boards of education. Jessica also represents school districts in labor and employment disputes, freedom of information hearings, teacher tenure proceedings, student disciplinary matters, election law matters, and other legal proceedings arising in the education context. In addition, Jessica advises schools on education policies and practices, compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act, and other legal matters arising in the education context.
Supreme Court Announces New Test for Determining Whether Social Media Posts Constitute State Action
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court considered whether James Freed, a city manager who maintained a “mixed use” Facebook account on which he posted information…
Continue Reading Supreme Court Announces New Test for Determining Whether Social Media Posts Constitute State ActionProposed Legislation Would Bar Institutions of Higher Education from Considering School Disciplinary History in Admissions
Last week, the Education Committee considered HB 5339 and, after discussion, voted to advance it beyond the committee. The proposed bill would prohibit institutions of…
Continue Reading Proposed Legislation Would Bar Institutions of Higher Education from Considering School Disciplinary History in AdmissionsSchool Climate Policy and Uniform Complaint Form for Challenging Behavior and Bullying Now Available
In June 2023, the Governor signed Public Act 23-167, which makes significant changes to Connecticut’s bullying law that become mandatory for the 2025-2026 school…
Continue Reading School Climate Policy and Uniform Complaint Form for Challenging Behavior and Bullying Now AvailableCSDE Releases Updated Guidance on Civil Rights Protections and Supports for Transgender Students
As an update to its previous 2017 guidance on the subject (the “2017 Guidance”), the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) released guidance for school…
Continue Reading CSDE Releases Updated Guidance on Civil Rights Protections and Supports for Transgender StudentsRelease of Final Changes to Title IX Regulations Postponed from May to October 2023
On May 26, 2023, the U.S. Department of Education (the “Department”) announced that it would delay release of the final revisions to the regulations implementing…
Continue Reading Release of Final Changes to Title IX Regulations Postponed from May to October 2023Proposed Title IX Regulations Affecting Athletic Team Eligibility
On April 13, 2023, the United States Department of Education (the “DOE”) published proposed regulations intended to address participation of transgender students in school athletic…
Continue Reading Proposed Title IX Regulations Affecting Athletic Team EligibilityUpdate on Connecticut’s School Immunization Requirements
On February 16, 2023, Connecticut’s Commissioner of Public Health (“Commissioner”) issued a memorandum to school nurse supervisors and school medical advisors regarding medical exemption reporting…
Continue Reading Update on Connecticut’s School Immunization RequirementsOCR Releases New Resources Regarding Athletic Programs and Title IX Compliance
On February 17, 2023, the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”) released three new resources regarding equal opportunity in athletic programs under…
Continue Reading OCR Releases New Resources Regarding Athletic Programs and Title IX ComplianceConnecticut Automatic Admissions Program – What High Schools Need to Know
Last year, Connecticut passed legislation directing the Board of Regents for Higher Education (“BOR”) to establish the Connecticut Automatic Admissions Program (“CAAP”). The CAAP permits…
Continue Reading Connecticut Automatic Admissions Program – What High Schools Need to Know