NSBA files more amicus briefs to the Supreme Court each year than all education associations combined. Our most recent state and federal court briefs are available below. See the School Law Issues area for topically archived briefs.
Looking for more information? See what’s Inside Amicus Briefs from NSBA
on the right.
Additional Resources
D.L. v. Baltimore Cnty. Bd. Sch. Commissioners (4th Cir.)
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973: Whether disabled student enrolled in private school is entitled to services under Section 504 on the same basis as a disabled student enrolled in public school. Filed April 9, 2012
Doe v. Covington Cnty. Sch. Dist. (5th Cir.)
Fourteenth Amendment: Due Process - special relationship theory of liability for acts of third parties - state created danger exception based on school district's ID check policy for visitors. Filed December 30, 2011
Peninsula Sch. Dist. v. D.P. (U.S. Sup. Ct. - Petition Brief)
IDEA: exhaustion of administrative remedies requirement - seeking to avoid requirement by artful pleading based on remedy sought. Filed November 23, 2011
Filarsky v. Delia (U.S. Sup. Ct. - Merits Brief)
Qualified immunity: Is a lawyer retained to work with government employees in conducting an internal affairs investigation precluded from asserting qualified immunity solely because of his status as a "private" lawyer rather than a government employee . Filed November 22, 2011
Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama v. Bentley (11th Cir.)
Fourteenth Amendment: school-related provisions in Alabama's immigration law violate Equal Protection Clause guarantees established in U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Plyler v. Doe. Filed November 22, 2011
Blue Mountain Sch. Dist. v. J.S./Hermitage Sch. Dist. v. Layshock (U.S. Sup. Ct. - Petition Brief)
First Amendment: Student speech - does Tinker and/or Fraser apply to offcampus, online student speech - school officials authority to regulate, restrict such speech without offending student's free speech rights. Filed November 2, 2011
R.K. v. Board of Education of Scott County, Kentucky (6th Cir)
ADA/Section 504: Right of student receiving disability-related services to attend neighborhood school - financial burden on school district. Filed October 14, 2011
Jefferson County School District R-1 v. Elizabeth E. (10th Cir.)
IDEA: Medical care - unilateral placement of student receiving special education services in mental health facility - reimbursement when placement is primarily for education purposes. Filed September 26, 2011
Morgan v. Swanson (5th Cir.)
First Amendment: Establishment Clause and Free Speech Clause—qualified immunity for school officials making decisions that require reconciling free speech and government endorsement of religion concerns. Filed March 16, 2011.
Camreta v. Greene and Alford v. Greene (U.S. Sup. Ct.)
Fourth Amendment—Probable cause standard: application to interview by child protective services worker and/or law enforcement officer of suspected child abuse victim at school. Filed December 17, 2010.
Borough of Duryea v. Guarnieri (U.S. Sup. Ct.)
First Amendment: Petition Clause—application of “public concern” analysis to employee grievances. Filed December 13, 2010.
Payne v. Peninsula School District (9th Cir.)
IDEA: Exhaustion of administrative remedies—implementation of behavioral modification interventions. Filed October 13, 2010
Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization v. Winn & Garriott v. Winn (U.S. Sup. Ct.)
First Amendment: Establishment Clause—constitutionality of Arizona tuition tax credit program. Filed 9/22/10.
Dydell v. Taylor (Mo. Sup. Ct.)
Coverdell Teacher Protection Act: applicability to school administrators for acts and omissions in disciplining students; interaction with state official immunity laws. Filed 9/1/10.
Staub v. Proctor Hospital (U.S. Sup. Ct.)
USERRA: Vicarious liability of employer for discriminatory animus of subordinate without decision-making authority; available defenses to “cat’s paw” claims. Filed 9/7/10.
Johnson v. Poway Unified School District (9th Cir.)
First Amendment: Employee free speech—authority of school district to regulate teacher classroom expression. Filed July 23, 2010.
Purdham v. Fairfax County School Board (4th Cir.)
Fair Labor Standards Act: Interpretation of nominal fee—Payment of stipends to school support staff who volunteer as coaches/advisors for athletic and extracurricular activities. Filed June 17, 2010.
C.H. v. Heyward (4th Cir.)
First Amendment: Student free speech—Authority of school district to regulate wearing of apparel displaying Confederate flag. Filed June 1, 2010.
Christian Legal Society v. Martinez (U.S. Sup. Ct.)
First Amendment: ability of public school to condition official recognition status on student group’s adoption of school’s non-discrimination policy. Filed March 15, 2010.
Meadows v. Lake Travis Independent Sch. Dist. (5th Cir.)
Parental rights: Access to school premises to monitor child’s education; reasonableness of visitor policies to ensure student safety. Filed February 25, 2010.
City of Ontario v. Quon (U.S. Sup. Ct.) - Merits Brief
Fourth Amendment: Right to search employee’s messages transmitted via public employer’s electronic communication devices. Filed February 12, 2010.
NSBA Amicus Cases Win/Loss Chart - Current Term