The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit unanimously ruled school districts reserve the right to discipline and expel students for content posted on social media, so long as the post creates a substantial disruption in schooling and collides with the rights of other students.
Read More »Court backs schools over social media posts
School district takes steps after feds find it didn’t protect student from harassment 
An Arizona school district has taken preventative steps after being accused by federal officials of failing to protect a female student from months of anti-Semitic harassment.
Read More »Senate narrowly passes anti-bullying bill 
Senators on Thursday narrowly approved a proposal that more comprehensively defines bullying and also requires charter schools to adopt anti-bullying policies.
Read More »Lawmaker: Expand schools’ responsibilities against bullying
A Senate panel endorsed a bill Monday that would expand requirements for school districts when it comes to bullying, intimidation and other forms of harassment among students, including allowing policies to cover incidents that occur off campus.
Read More »Bowled over: Fiesta fallout may claim elected officials 
As near-daily revelations pour out of the Fiesta Bowl investigation, allegations that lawmakers benefitted from the besmirched bowl game’s largesse may come back to haunt their campaigns.
Among the allegations in a 276-page report — the result of an investigation commissioned by the Fiesta Bowl board of directors — were claims that bowl lobbyists illegally gave football tickets to legislators. In subsequent days, it was learned that Fiesta Bowl trips and gifts that are perfectly legal weren’t listed on many of the lawmakers’ financial disclosure forms.
House committee OKs bill to force school procedures on bullying
Rep. Kimberly Yee, R-Phoenix introduced a bill calling for disciplinary action against school employees, from administrators to teachers to janitors, who fail to file detailed reports about bullying. The bill also would allow parents and students to fill out forms to report incidents of bullying. It would require schools to contact emergency services, including police and paramedics, when appropriate.
Read More »State lawmakers push for laws against bullying in schools
A state lawmaker is pushing for a law requiring school employees to report and document bullying.
Read More »UpClose with Andrew Morrill: Teachers union chief says he’s not a liberal, takes balanced approach 
Andrew Morrill took over as president of the Arizona Education Association, the state’s biggest teachers union, early this year. It’s a job no one would envy.
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