State issues final order for workers’ comp cost increase

As expected, state insurance regulators have issued a final order jacking up the price of worker’s compensation insurance by nearly 15 percent.  The order was published Thursday.  The decision approves the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) request “for an overall combined statewide average rate increase of 14.5 percent,” the Office of Insurance Regulation said in a…

Significant Education Cases on Supreme Court Docket

The U.S. Supreme Court opened its new term Oct. 3 still feeling the effects of the February death of Justice Antonin Scalia. With the nomination of Merrick B. Garland stuck in political limbo, the eight members of the court have adopted a cautious approach to their docket for the new term, many legal experts say. …

Nevada Supreme Court ruling expected to affect school choice legislation nationwide

The impact of the state Supreme Court’s decision Thursday to kill Nevada’s controversial education savings account law is expected to ripple across the nation as more than a dozen states consider similar legislation.  The justices ruled Senate Bill 302 violated a constitutional mandate by diverting money meant exclusively for public education into education savings accounts…

U.S. Supreme Court to Weigh Level of Benefit Required by Special Education Law

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday granted review in a case about the level of education benefit a child must receive for a school district to have provided an appropriate level of service under the main federal special education law.  The case, Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District RE-1 (No. 15-827), raises an important question…

U.S. Department of Education Awards $245 Million to Support High-Quality Public Charter Schools

The U.S. Department of Education announced today new grants totaling approximately $245 million under its Charter Schools Program (CSP), which funds the creation and expansion of public charter schools across the nation. Today’s grants are being awarded to state educational agencies and charter management organizations.  The CSP supports the creation of high-quality public charter schools…