Section Newsletters

Articles From Madonna T. Lechner

Is Access to Literacy a Right? By Madonna T. Lechner Law-Related Education for the Public, December 2025 In 2016, a group of students enrolled in elementary and secondary schools filed suit against officials of the State of Michigan, alleging violation of equal protection under the 14th Amendment of the Constitution by denying them access to literacy. Subsequently, four years later, the Eastern District of Michigan confirmed that students had a fundamental right to a basic minimum education. 
Is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Obsolete? By Madonna T. Lechner Law-Related Education for the Public, May 2025 On January 31, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14173, banning race- and sex-based preferences in DEI programs across federal agencies and other major sectors. The Order claims DEI violates civil rights laws and undermines merit. Opponents—including universities, nonprofits, and the City of Baltimore—sued, arguing it restricts free speech and harms historically underserved groups. A district court initially blocked parts of the Order, but a federal appeals court later allowed enforcement while the case proceeds. The lawsuit questions whether DEI programs violate anti-discrimination laws.
What Is Sex Discrimination? By Madonna T. Lechner Law-Related Education for the Public, October 2024 On May 14, 2024, the States of Kansas, Alaska, Utah, and Wyoming filed a complaint against the U. S. Department of Education in Federal District Court alleging that the revised regulation implementing Title IX is contrary to law.
Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair By Madonna T. Lechner Law-Related Education for the Public, March 2024 On May 27, 2023, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into law the CROWN Act, which prohibits discrimination against students on the basis of hair texture or hairstyle historically associated with race.
Redlining in Florida By Madonna T. Lechner Law-Related Education for the Public, November 2023 Redlining is an illegal practice in which lenders avoid providing credit services to individuals living in or seeking to live in, communities of color because of the race, color, or national origin of the residents in those communities.
Preferential Treatment at Harvard By Madonna T. Lechner Law-Related Education for the Public, August 2023 In July 2023, the Chica Project, African Community Economic Development of New England, and Greater Boston Latino Network filed a complaint  with the U.S. Department of Education alleging that Harvard University violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
A New Look at the Rights of Students With Disabilities By Madonna T. Lechner Law-Related Education for the Public, May 2023 The plight of a student with a hearing impairment was recently brought to the public’s attention after the U.S. Supreme Court rendered a decision in Luna Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools.
A Reflection on Life Before and After the Advent of Title IX of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 By Madonna T. Lechner Law-Related Education for the Public, January 2023 A member's reflections on life before and after Title IX was signed into law.
In the Company of Attorneys: Alternative Careers in the Legal Profession By Madonna T. Lechner Law-Related Education for the Public, September 2022 A look at careers that are closely aligned with the legal field.

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