Lakewood School Funding Case and What It Means for New Jersey Families
The recent decision of the Appellate Division in Alcantara v. Allen-McMillan (Docket No. A-2493-23), approved for publication on September 8, 2025, underscores a difficult truth about public education in New Jersey. While the court affirmed that the School Funding Reform Act of 2008 (SFRA) is constitutional as applied to the Lakewood School District, it also […]
Navigating Complex Student Codes: Legal Advocacy for Campus Proceedings
The Hidden Curriculum in New Jersey Campus Discipline In July 2025, Inside Higher Ed published an article on the so-called “hidden curriculum” of student conduct proceedings. The piece revealed what attorneys working with students in New Jersey already know: most undergraduates and graduate students facing disciplinary charges arrive at their hearings unprepared, uninformed, and entirely […]
When Universities Can Still Discipline Students Many families are shocked to discover that a university can punish students for conduct that takes place miles away from campus. A fight at a bar, an arrest at a music festival, or allegations from a private party can all trigger a university investigation, even if the student is […]
Title IX Compliance
How Institutional Failures Become Your Defense Understanding the Title IX compliance checklist for 2025 is critical for accused students and their families. Federal rules now demand schools follow strict procedures, and when they fail, those compliance gaps can form the foundation of your defense. Title IX prohibits sex discrimination in federally funded education programs. While […]
Title IX Complaints Near Graduation: Why Due Process Must Extend Beyond Sexual Misconduct Cases
Facing a Title IX complaint before graduation? Learn how delayed investigations can impact your degree, job prospects, and grad school—plus how to protect your rights. Student Rights Defense today.
Uncounted, Unenrolled, Unprotected: Legal Help for NJ Families Left Out of School
Public education in New Jersey is in crisis—but not in the way headlines suggest. Behind every statistic about learning loss or absenteeism is a legal failure: students not being found, supported, or reengaged by the very systems designed to serve them. In this guide, we explain how national and local data point to unlawful education […]
Unfair School Discipline in New Jersey? Know Your Legal Rights
A groundbreaking analysis published in The Conversation by Markowitz et al. in 2023 reviewed over 3.5 million teacher-written disciplinary comments and found conclusive patterns of racial and gender bias in how educators describe student behavior. Black students, especially boys, were far more likely to be described using emotionally charged and negative language than their White […]
Private School Vouchers Are Coming—Is Your School Legally Ready?
As school voucher programs gain political traction nationwide, private schools must prepare for rapid legal and regulatory shifts. This article breaks down what voucher acceptance means for admissions, special education, financial compliance, and eligibility—and why working with counsel now is essential.
AI Surveillance in Schools: Civil Rights, Legal Risks, and the Battle Over Federal Funding
Artificial intelligence is increasingly integrated into American education, promising efficiency, insights, and safer school environments. But one of its most contested applications—AI surveillance in schools—has become the subject of growing legal and civil rights scrutiny. Marketed as a way to monitor student behavior and prevent harm, student surveillance technology raises questions about privacy, discrimination, and […]
Supreme Court Lowers Legal Hurdles for Students with Disabilities: What A.J.T. v. Osseo Means for Families and Schools
On June 12, 2025, the United States Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools, affirming that students with disabilities denied a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) may seek compensatory damages under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities […]
When Deepfakes Enter the Classroom: A National Legal Perspective on AI-Generated Harassment and Title IX
Artificial intelligence is reshaping nearly every facet of modern life, and unfortunately, its darker applications are now surfacing in schools across the country. At Ratliff Jackson LLP, we’ve seen an increasing number of inquiries from parents, students, and educators facing an alarming new threat: deepfake harassment. These digitally fabricated images and videos are often sexual […]
How a Title IX Case Could Impact Your Medical School Admission
For aspiring medical students, few events feel as destabilizing as being named in a Title IX investigation. The ripple effects of such a case can reach far beyond campus boundaries, influencing not only academic standing but also long-term professional goals. Among the most serious concerns is how a Title IX proceeding—especially one resulting in a […]
Title IX Rights of the Accused: What Every Student Should Know
If you’ve been accused of misconduct under Title IX, the process can feel like it’s stacked against you from the start. Whether you’re a college student in California, a graduate student in New York, or a high school senior in Texas, one thing is true across the board: a Title IX complaint can jeopardize your […]
What Are Your Free Speech Rights in School?
Understanding When Schools Can — and Cannot — Limit Student Expression Free speech is a foundational right protected by the U.S. Constitution — and students do not give up that right when they enter the classroom. Whether you’re in high school or college, knowing your rights as a student can make the difference between being […]