Got to love July 1. The start of a new year, everything is fresh and hopeful ... at least in school terms. But, July 1 is frequently when all the new laws affecting schools take effect also (more). Not to spoil your optimism.

We are not quite at the "just do whatever you want" point yet with NCLB, but we are getting closer.

An lawsuit over a critical intelligent design e-mail in Texas.

Louisiana is realizing how far out on a limb they went this year. More . Louisiana certainly gets the award for the most conservatively oriented new school policies this year. If there is such an award. The young Republican governor there pretty much is pushing forward on every front.

Meanwhile, New Orleans Recovery School District is cutting 180 jobs, 17 percent of its teachers`. 

A coalition to get more money for California's schools has taken to the airwaves.

Missouri is one of many states this year broadening online harassment laws. NY too.

U.S. Supreme Court denies Kansas undocumented worked tuition case.

In Michigan, always a leader in special ed. issues, a parent is trying to create a class of autistic children to go against Blue Cross, Blue Shield. 

West Virginia gets school bus time limits. 

Gotta watch those accountants ... (I am not referring to my wife who is an excellent accountant!).

Hawaii can't figure out who is going to pay for their teacher drug testing program.


Around the Ed. Law Blogosphere

Mark Walsh has all the big news of the week. Arizona and Maine vouchers okayed. The anti-abortion truck ruling. More from the LA Times. And some goodold Milwaukee union signs.

Jim Gerl is reflective on how far we have come since passage of EAHCA.

Charles Fox says we need more from the candidates on where they stand on IDEIA & NCLB. He has a great point about IDEIA - I have no idea where the candidates stand on that issue. I can guess, but it would be nice to hear it from them.

Title IX blog has a school not liable for teacher harassment incident in South Dakota.

Connecticut Education Law Blog has a FOIA case there.

Wrights Law answers questions about school attorneys and walking out of due process hearings.

Jon Becker tells a great story about how Thurgood Marshall impacted his life.

Jen Weissman has Connecticut going to in-school suspensions mostly. This is probably a good idea. She also has Sen. Lieberman's (who is wildly unpopular now for backing McCain) education take.

Mitchell Rubinstien has a not so shocking anymore teacher speech case out of the Second Circuit. Complain about special ed = fired.

Check out this British Church/State case at Religion Clause. Interesting stuff.


OK, for your Friday Fun ...

What else? Enjoy. (If the fireworks are not playing and you want them to, just hit "preview.")


Google Document Link: Friday Snippets - 4/07/08 - New Laws Taking Effect