Chalk and Gavel Podcast
@chalkandgavel.bsky.social
Join Chris Thomas and Jamie Kudlats for "Chalk & Gavel," a friendly and demystifying podcast that explores how the law shapes education, one case at a time! Follow us as we explore the fascinating ways the courtroom is connected to the classroom.
Bethel v. Fraser is such a fun case, with such a boring name. We've got the "Bong hits 4 Jesus" case, the "black armband" case, and the case of "the cussing cheerleader." Bethel needs a fun name, too. We offer some ideas in Episode 55. Which is your favorite?
October 29, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Bethel v. Fraser is such a fun case, with such a boring name. We've got the "Bong hits 4 Jesus" case, the "black armband" case, and the case of "the cussing cheerleader." Bethel needs a fun name, too. We offer some ideas in Episode 55. Which is your favorite?
Our second anniversary episode! Listen in to Ep. 55, where we talk about one of our favorites, Bethel v. Fraser! What happens when a student gives a sexually suggestive speech at a school assembly? podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5...
55 | Bethel v. Fraser and the PG-13 Pep-Rally: Lewd Speech and Limiting Students’ First Amendment Rights
Podcast Episode · Chalk and Gavel: An Education Law Podcast · 10/21/2025 · 44m
podcasts.apple.com
October 21, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Our second anniversary episode! Listen in to Ep. 55, where we talk about one of our favorites, Bethel v. Fraser! What happens when a student gives a sexually suggestive speech at a school assembly? podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5...
Just like Louisiana, Texas also passed a law that the 10 Commandments be posted in every classroom (though the posters had to be bigger, obviously). And, just like the LA law, TX's law also got paused. Check out Ep. 52's bellringer for more! #teachers #texas #education
September 11, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Just like Louisiana, Texas also passed a law that the 10 Commandments be posted in every classroom (though the posters had to be bigger, obviously). And, just like the LA law, TX's law also got paused. Check out Ep. 52's bellringer for more! #teachers #texas #education
What happens when a student lies to avoid accusations of vaping in the restroom? Nothing good! In Ep. 52, we cover a student's lawsuit after she was expelled for lying about her teacher. Listen in or watch us on YouTube! #teachers #educationlaw #education podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5...
52 | Vapes, Lies, and Students' Constitutional Rights
Podcast Episode · Chalk and Gavel: An Education Law Podcast · 09/09/2025 · 57m
podcasts.apple.com
September 9, 2025 at 5:07 PM
What happens when a student lies to avoid accusations of vaping in the restroom? Nothing good! In Ep. 52, we cover a student's lawsuit after she was expelled for lying about her teacher. Listen in or watch us on YouTube! #teachers #educationlaw #education podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5...
Mary Beth Tinker (yes, that Tinker from the landmark 1969 Supreme Court case Tinker v. Des Moines) joins us for our 50th episode to talk about the case and her experiences advocating for children and their rights! You don't want to miss this one! #TinkerTour podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5...
50 | Tinker v. Des Moines with Mary Beth Tinker
Podcast Episode · Chalk and Gavel · 08/12/2025 · 1h 11m
podcasts.apple.com
August 13, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Mary Beth Tinker (yes, that Tinker from the landmark 1969 Supreme Court case Tinker v. Des Moines) joins us for our 50th episode to talk about the case and her experiences advocating for children and their rights! You don't want to miss this one! #TinkerTour podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5...
Should elementary students have free speech rights? That question is at the heart of this week's episode, which we recorded live at the Education Law Association's annual conference! #education #teachers #educationlaw #podcasts podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3...
32 | Young Students and Free Speech: Live from ELA 2024!
Podcast Episode · Chalk and Gavel · 12/03/2024 · 44m
podcasts.apple.com
December 4, 2024 at 4:24 PM
Should elementary students have free speech rights? That question is at the heart of this week's episode, which we recorded live at the Education Law Association's annual conference! #education #teachers #educationlaw #podcasts podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3...
This episode is a double-header! We discuss two cases about when schools can be legally responsible for student injuries during athletic activities. We knocked this one out of the park, but these cases might have you crying foul! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3...
31 | Athletic Mal-
Podcast Episode · Chalk and Gavel · 11/19/2024 · 50m
podcasts.apple.com
November 19, 2024 at 7:28 PM
This episode is a double-header! We discuss two cases about when schools can be legally responsible for student injuries during athletic activities. We knocked this one out of the park, but these cases might have you crying foul! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3...
Ever wondered how placement decisions are made for students with disabilities? Have we got an episode for you! In this episode, we discuss P v. Newington Board of Education, a case that deals with the Least Restrictive Environment provision of the IDEA podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3...
30 | Inclusion and Students with Disabilities
Podcast Episode · Chalk and Gavel · 11/05/2024 · 57m
podcasts.apple.com
November 14, 2024 at 1:49 PM
Ever wondered how placement decisions are made for students with disabilities? Have we got an episode for you! In this episode, we discuss P v. Newington Board of Education, a case that deals with the Least Restrictive Environment provision of the IDEA podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3...
Our first ever live show! We were thrilled to record an upcoming episode in front of a "live studio audience" at the Education Law Association's annual conference. Thank you to everyone who attended! We hope you had as much fun as we did!
November 8, 2024 at 4:56 PM
Our first ever live show! We were thrilled to record an upcoming episode in front of a "live studio audience" at the Education Law Association's annual conference. Thank you to everyone who attended! We hope you had as much fun as we did!
Exactly one year ago, we released our first episode of Chalk & Gavel! 29 episodes later, we are so grateful to everyone for listening, sharing their thoughts, and helping us demystify and empower folks within education law. Thank you! Your support truly means the world to us!!
October 25, 2024 at 12:06 AM
Exactly one year ago, we released our first episode of Chalk & Gavel! 29 episodes later, we are so grateful to everyone for listening, sharing their thoughts, and helping us demystify and empower folks within education law. Thank you! Your support truly means the world to us!!
To celebrate 1 year of Chalk & Gavel, we decided to cover one of our favorite cases! This is "Bong Hits 4 Jesus", a fascinating and important story about a student's "First Amendment experiment" that got all the way to the Supreme Court! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2...
29 |
Podcast Episode · Chalk and Gavel · 10/22/2024 · 1h 10m
podcasts.apple.com
October 23, 2024 at 1:00 PM
To celebrate 1 year of Chalk & Gavel, we decided to cover one of our favorite cases! This is "Bong Hits 4 Jesus", a fascinating and important story about a student's "First Amendment experiment" that got all the way to the Supreme Court! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2...
We had too much fun naming this episode. Listen in as we discuss whether a school can deny a student academic credit after he was expelled for having "marijuana crumbs" in his truck on school property. This is the case of South Gibson v. Sollman. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2...
28 | Marijuana Crumbs and Denial of Academic Credit
Podcast Episode · Chalk and Gavel · 10/08/2024 · 44m
podcasts.apple.com
October 8, 2024 at 3:08 PM
We had too much fun naming this episode. Listen in as we discuss whether a school can deny a student academic credit after he was expelled for having "marijuana crumbs" in his truck on school property. This is the case of South Gibson v. Sollman. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2...
When can a school pursue its #equity goals for transgender students in the face of #teachers' sincerely held religious beliefs? Listen in as we discuss Kluge v. Brownsburg Community Schools! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2...
27 | Transgender Students and Teachers' Rights
What happens when a teacher’s religious beliefs clash with a district's policy to support transgender students?
When are schools legally required to accommodat
podcasts.apple.com
September 25, 2024 at 5:50 PM
When can a school pursue its #equity goals for transgender students in the face of #teachers' sincerely held religious beliefs? Listen in as we discuss Kluge v. Brownsburg Community Schools! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2...
Ever wonder how the law handles #teachers social media use and their role as public employees? Check out our timely new episode on Durstein v. Alexander, a case dealing with a teacher fired for her social media activity in the run-up to the 2016 election. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2...
26 | Teacher Speech Rights and Social Media
When can a school discipline a teacher for their social media use? What happens when a teacher’s problematic tweets go viral? Imagine waking up to an email deta
podcasts.apple.com
September 11, 2024 at 4:28 PM
Ever wonder how the law handles #teachers social media use and their role as public employees? Check out our timely new episode on Durstein v. Alexander, a case dealing with a teacher fired for her social media activity in the run-up to the 2016 election. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2...
We're celebrating our 25th episode with our second Sidebar discussion featuring education law reporter Mark Walsh! We discuss whether the #SupremeCourt jumped the shark in 2024 and how the term affected #education and #educationlaw. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2...
25 | Sidebar: 2024 Update on the Supreme Court and Education
Welcome to our 25th episode! To celebrate, we invited Supreme Court and education law reporter Mark Walsh back to discuss the Supreme Court's 2023-24 Term and l
podcasts.apple.com
August 27, 2024 at 4:31 PM
We're celebrating our 25th episode with our second Sidebar discussion featuring education law reporter Mark Walsh! We discuss whether the #SupremeCourt jumped the shark in 2024 and how the term affected #education and #educationlaw. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2...
It's time for Christmas in July! This episode features a student's Red Ryder BB gun and how a school responded when it was visible during remote learning. We apologize in advance for the A Christmas Story references, but we triple-dog dare you to listen! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2...
Chalk and Gavel: 21 | Red Ryder BB Guns and Remote Learning on Apple Podcasts
Show Chalk and Gavel, Ep 21 | Red Ryder BB Guns and Remote Learning - Jul 2, 2024
podcasts.apple.com
July 9, 2024 at 5:05 PM
It's time for Christmas in July! This episode features a student's Red Ryder BB gun and how a school responded when it was visible during remote learning. We apologize in advance for the A Christmas Story references, but we triple-dog dare you to listen! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2...
In our latest episode, student cheerleaders were kicked off the team for staging a sit-in against their coach. What do you think of the school's reaction? Should the cheerleaders have faced these consequences for their protest? podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1...
Chalk and Gavel: 19 | Student Sit-ins and More on Apple Podcasts
Show Chalk and Gavel, Ep 19 | Student Sit-ins and More - Jun 4, 2024
podcasts.apple.com
June 10, 2024 at 9:04 PM
In our latest episode, student cheerleaders were kicked off the team for staging a sit-in against their coach. What do you think of the school's reaction? Should the cheerleaders have faced these consequences for their protest? podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1...
Why is it always the cheer squad? If absolute power corrupts absolutely, what does school spirit do? Join us as we talk about the case of a group of brave and well-informed cheerleaders who protested the draconian behavior of their new coach! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1...
Chalk and Gavel: 19 | Student Sit-ins and More on Apple Podcasts
Show Chalk and Gavel, Ep 19 | Student Sit-ins and More - Jun 4, 2024
podcasts.apple.com
June 4, 2024 at 11:22 PM
Why is it always the cheer squad? If absolute power corrupts absolutely, what does school spirit do? Join us as we talk about the case of a group of brave and well-informed cheerleaders who protested the draconian behavior of their new coach! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1...
You're in luck if you haven't read all 1,500 pages of the new Title IX regulations yet! We've got a special Title IX-themed episode! We discuss the new regs and Davis v. Monroe County, a Supreme Court case about student sexual harassment. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1...
Chalk and Gavel: 18 | Title IX's New Regs & Sexual Harassment on Apple Podcasts
Show Chalk and Gavel, Ep 18 | Title IX's New Regs & Sexual Harassment - May 21, 2024
podcasts.apple.com
May 21, 2024 at 7:38 PM
You're in luck if you haven't read all 1,500 pages of the new Title IX regulations yet! We've got a special Title IX-themed episode! We discuss the new regs and Davis v. Monroe County, a Supreme Court case about student sexual harassment. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1...
How many SPED acronyms do you know? It's time to play Episode 17 Bingo! We're joined by Dr. Janet Decker as we wade into the complicated and acronym-filled waters of special education law with the case of Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1...
May 7, 2024 at 12:46 PM
How many SPED acronyms do you know? It's time to play Episode 17 Bingo! We're joined by Dr. Janet Decker as we wade into the complicated and acronym-filled waters of special education law with the case of Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1...
In Ep. 16, we coin a new term, "Hydra laws" (TM, TM, TM)! Like the Hydra's heads in Greek myth, these new and slightly different laws pop up after a similar law seeking the same goal is invalidated. What examples of Hydra laws can you think of in education?
April 25, 2024 at 12:54 PM
In Ep. 16, we coin a new term, "Hydra laws" (TM, TM, TM)! Like the Hydra's heads in Greek myth, these new and slightly different laws pop up after a similar law seeking the same goal is invalidated. What examples of Hydra laws can you think of in education?
Can a school subject a student to corporal punishment for writing "Trump 2016" on a classroom whiteboard? At least one judge appointed by President Trump said "yes." In this episode, we discuss a student free speech case with renewed relevance in 2024!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1...
Chalk and Gavel: 16 | Politics and Paddling on Apple Podcasts
Show Chalk and Gavel, Ep 16 | Politics and Paddling - Apr 23, 2024
podcasts.apple.com
April 23, 2024 at 10:21 PM
Can a school subject a student to corporal punishment for writing "Trump 2016" on a classroom whiteboard? At least one judge appointed by President Trump said "yes." In this episode, we discuss a student free speech case with renewed relevance in 2024!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1...
Sure, #TaylorSwift may have released a new album today, but new #TitleIX regulations just dropped. Buckle up! www.ed.gov/news/press-r...
U.S. Department of Education Releases Final Title IX Regulations, Providing Vital Protections Against Sex Discrimination | U.S. Department of Education
www.ed.gov
April 19, 2024 at 1:12 PM
Sure, #TaylorSwift may have released a new album today, but new #TitleIX regulations just dropped. Buckle up! www.ed.gov/news/press-r...
We're branching out into true crime! We're basically #truecrime for #teachers. Join us for a discussion of the landmark Supreme Court case, New Jersey v. T.L.O., a delinquency case that defines the scope of student privacy rights in schools. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1...
Chalk and Gavel: 15 | Searches and Cigarettes on Apple Podcasts
Show Chalk and Gavel, Ep 15 | Searches and Cigarettes - Apr 9, 2024
podcasts.apple.com
April 9, 2024 at 6:55 PM
We're branching out into true crime! We're basically #truecrime for #teachers. Join us for a discussion of the landmark Supreme Court case, New Jersey v. T.L.O., a delinquency case that defines the scope of student privacy rights in schools. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1...
New Episode Alert! We do a deep dive into Coalition for TJ v. Fairfax County School Board, a recent case with important implications for the ongoing constitutionality of efforts to pursue diversity in k12 school admissions. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1...
Chalk and Gavel: 14 | School Admissions and Diversity on Apple Podcasts
Show Chalk and Gavel, Ep 14 | School Admissions and Diversity - Mar 26, 2024
podcasts.apple.com
March 27, 2024 at 8:26 PM
New Episode Alert! We do a deep dive into Coalition for TJ v. Fairfax County School Board, a recent case with important implications for the ongoing constitutionality of efforts to pursue diversity in k12 school admissions. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1...