Education Law: A Year in Review (13th Annual)

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Followed by a reception

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

This seminar addresses important developments in education law and policy during the past year. The program will feature:

• a Supreme Court update;

• a presentation on educational equity in public school districts and charter schools;

• perspectives of school leaders on navigating the current immigration landscape;

• an update on Title IX;

• an update on a recent federal case involving religious displays in schools; and

• legislative and policy updates from the Illinois State Board of Education.

This is an in-person event. Lunch will be provided, and a reception will be held following the conclusion of the event.

This program was approved by the Illinois MCLE Board for 5 hours of general Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit. CLE credit is only available for those attending in-person. The event and CLE credit are offered free of charge. 

Register Here for the In-Person Seminar: https://reg.planetreg.com/edlawyearinreview

Virtual Segment: The segment entitled “No Longer Set in Stone: The Recent Federal Court of Appeals Decision Regarding Display of the Ten Commandments in Classrooms with Drs. Chris Thomas and Jamie Kudlats will be presented via Zoom webinar from 3:30-4:15 p.m. CST / 4:30-5:15 p.m. EST. This segment is being live-streamed for the in-person audience and can also be viewed virtually. If you are viewing the segment virtually via Zoom webinar, please use the registration link below.

Zoom Webinar Registration: https://luc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JUbiwlkwT32hswwktu86NA

Agenda

11:00 - 11:10 AM   Welcome and Introduction

Miranda Johnson, JD, MPA, Clinical Professor of Law and Director of the Education Law and Policy Institute, Loyola University Chicago School of Law

11:10 - 12:25 PM  Supreme Court Update

Mark Walsh, Contributing Writer, Education Week, ABA Journal, and SCOTUSblog

Break and Pick Up Boxed Lunches

12:45 - 1:30 PM  Educational Equity: Challenges Facing Public School Districts and Charter Schools

Ariel Johnson, (Loyola JD ‘14), Executive Director, DC Charter School Alliance

1:30 - 2:15 PM  Immigration and Schools: Perspectives from School Leaders on Navigating the Current Landscape

Sheila Barlow, Principal, Powell Elementary School

Christopher Graves, EdD, Principal, Jordan Community School

Raul Magdaleno, Principal, Thomas Kelly College Preparatory High School

Break

2:30 - 3:15 PM Title IX Update

Amy Kosanovich Dickerson, (Loyola JD ‘07), Partner, Franzcek P.C.

Emily Tulloch, (Loyola JD ‘18), Partner, Franzcek, P.C.

Break

3:30 - 4:15 PM No Longer Set in Stone: The Recent Federal Court of Appeals Decision Regarding Display of the Ten Commandments in Classrooms (via Zoom Webinar)

Chalk and Gavel Podcast Co-Hosts:

Chris Thomas, JD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy, University of Florida

Jamie Kudlats, PhD, Associate Professor of Educational Leadership, University of North Carolina Charlotte

*Rabbi Nathan v. Alamo Heights Indep. Sch. Dist., 2026 WL 1078691 (5th Cir. 2026)

4:15 - 5:00 PM Illinois Education Law and Policy Update

Hector Rodriguez, Director, State Legislative Relations, Illinois State Board of Education

Samantha White, Director, State/Federal Legislative Relations, Illinois State Board of Education

5:00 - 6:00 PM Reception