What you missed this summer: School district administrator edition

What did you do on your summer vacation? While the rest of us hopefully got some much-needed relaxation, officials in our state and federal agencies were busy these last few months releasing important guidance on a number of hot topics for public school districts. Consider this your quick, one-stop shop on the summer vacation highlights for each of these agencies.

Ohio Department of Education

• New school counselor evaluation model and resource guide
• Highly Qualified Teacher (HQT) Toolkit; compliance with HQT still required for 2016-2017 school year
• New Questions and Answers regarding the Every Student Succeeds Act

Ohio Ethics Commission

• New opinion regarding restrictions on public officials employed by nonprofit entities that receive public financial assistance

United States Department of Agriculture

• Guide to Smart Snacks in Schools

United States Department of Education

• Guidance on civil rights students with ADHD:
• First new guidance on the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act since 2004
• Significant discipline guidance, including information on classroom management tools and building positive behavior intervention strategies:
• Strong pronouncement to all public schools on Transgender Student Rights
• Fact Sheet on Discrimination Based on Race, Color, National Origin, and Religion, including example scenarios
• Guidance on gender equity in career-technical education: 
• Guidance on Children in Foster Care under the Every Student Succeeds Act
• New Dear Colleague Letter Discusses “Child Find” Requirements for Children with Disabilities Attending Public Virtual Schools 

United States Department of Justice

• New Americans with Disabilities Act regulations, effective October 11, 2016, require the term “disability” to be broadly construed 

United States Department of Labor

• As of August 1, 2016, new FLSA posters are required

Remember, to stay current on developments over summer break (or any other time), follow us on Twitter at @brickeredlaw.