Dear Legal Mailbag: As a sixth grade teacher, I get nervous every time I read in the paper about teachers and administrators being arrested for failing to report allegations of neglect or abuse. I know I need to report such suspicions promptly, but the question I have for Legal Mailbag is how to best to do so. Last year, a student told me about a beating he received from his mother’s boyfriend and, as a…

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) adopted new procedures last month that will make life easier for some mandated reporters.  DCF Policy 22-1-3, Mandated Reporter’s Failure to Report, has been revised to clarify that mandated reporters in schools can report electronically when they reasonably suspect that a child has been abused, neglected or placed at risk of imminent harm in a “non-emergent” situation without risk that they will be subject to a failure-to-report…

Today’s classrooms place considerable importance on providing environments conducive to learning.  Issues surrounding disruptive behavior, student and staff safety, anonymous reporting, and student-initiated electronic monitoring are becoming more prevalent, and now more than ever, school administrators are evaluating their approach to classroom management. Join Shipman & Goodwin school law attorneys for this timely workshop providing a discussion of the emerging issues in this rapidly evolving space, including an analysis of recent legislation and legal requirements.…

The U.S. Department of Education recently released its anticipated proposed regulations regarding sexual harassment under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. If adopted, these regulations could have a significant impact on the manner in which educational agencies and institutions investigate and address claims of sexual harassment or discrimination.  Although these regulations may not be binding on independent schools, these evolving standards will foreseeably impact best practices and establish more general expectations. Key components…