Overview
Amy Kosanovich Dickerson serves as co-chair of the firm's K-12 Education Practice Group. Amy represents educational institutions, including public school districts, charter schools, private schools, and higher education institutions, as well as education-related organizations, in a variety of education law matters. Amy primarily counsels clients in student and labor and employment issues including student rights, student discipline, bullying, discrimination and harassment, civil rights, residency and homelessness, abuse and neglect and other matters involving the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), student accommodation issues, Title IX complaints and investigations, education reform initiatives, employee and teacher evaluation, employee discipline and dismissal, and policy and governance issues.
Prior to joining the firm, Amy served as the law clerk for the Honorable Morton Denlow, U.S. Magistrate Judge, Northern District of Illinois. Prior to attending law school, Amy taught fifth and sixth grades in the District of Columbia Public School System as a Teach for America Corps Member.
Amy serves on the Executive Committee of the Illinois Council of School Attorneys, and is co-chair of the Council’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She is also an active member of the National Council of School Attorneys and frequently speaks on education law topics at various bar association and school administrator association events. Amy has served as an adjunct professor at Loyola University Chicago School of Law teaching Education Law and Policy, Legal Writing, and has also served as a faculty member for Loyola’s Childlaw Trial Practice course.
Amy participates in various community interest initiatives with Franczek P.C., including leading the Firm’s Education Law Practicum program with Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Amy enjoys being outdoors and spending time with her family, including her twin daughters and twin sons.
Recognition
Amy has been recognized by Leading Lawyers magazine since 2015.
Thought Leadership
- One Month In – Title IX Update
- SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION SEASON BEGINS AUGUST 20, 2024
- Legal Challenges to the 2024 Title IX Regulations – What’s Next for Illinois Schools?
- Franczek P.C. Releases New 2024 Title IX Toolkit with Comprehensive Resources to Promote Compliance with the 2024 Title IX Regulations
- New Title IX Regulation Compliance Tools: New Training, Toolkit, and Policy Offerings
- The 2024 Title IX Regs Are Here—Now What? Part I: Training Your Employees and Your Title IX Team
- Final Title IX Rule on Sexual Harassment Released Today
- Title IX Athletics Final Rule Likely Delayed Until After the Election
- OCR Releases “Dear Colleague Letter” on School Responsibilities to Address Title VI Discrimination and Harassment
- Teacher Tenure, Dismissal and Evaluation Legislative Updates
- New Staff or New Roles? Franczek P.C. Offers Title IX Training for K-12 Administrators
- ISBE Releases New Resource Guide and FAQ Regarding Faith’s Law
- Reminders and Resources for Erin’s Law Training and Faith’s Law Requirements for 2023-2024 School Year
- Checklist for End of Covid Health Emergency
- Checklist for End of COVID Health Emergency
- Nonpublic School Legislative Update
- Charter School 2023 Legislative Update
- School District’s Discipline of Students for Off-Campus Speech Affirmed by Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
- School Law Legislative Update: New Laws in Effect in 2023
- Franczek’s Title IX Team Published in Illinois Association of School Business Officials UPDATE Magazine
- Seventh Circuit Finds for School District in Employee “Reverse Race Discrimination” Claim
- Title IX Protections for Pregnancy after Overturning of Roe v. Wade
- OCR and OSERS Issue Guidance on IDEA and Section 504 Requirements for Addressing Disability-Based Student Behavior
- Faith’s Law and Erin’s Law: Requirements for the Upcoming School Year
- Illinois State Police Issue Emergency Rule Governing Clear and Present Danger Reports
- Franczek P.C. Toolkits and Resources for School Administrators
- Two Grievance Procedures in the New Title IX Proposed Regs?
- Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Title IX
- Biden Administration Releases New Proposed Title IX Regulations
- Supreme Court to decide case of football coach placed on leave for post-game prayers
- Title IX Refresher Series Part V: Title IX Advisor
- When School Districts Are Liable for Employee-Student Sexual Abuse under Title IX
- OCR Announces Resolution Agreement with L.A. Schools over Remote-Learning Related Services to Students with IEPs and 504 Plans
- U.S. Department of Education to Amend Section 504 Regulations
- Considerations for Law Enforcement Referrals
- Federal Case Highlights Nuances of Addressing Sexual Harassment Involving Students with Disabilities
- Title IX Refresher Series Part IV: Title IX Informal Resolution Facilitator
- COVID-19 Paid Leave Law: FAQ
- VAWA Reauthorized: What Does This Mean for Your School or College?
- Curriculum Objections: Webinar and Toolkit
- Title IX Refresher Series Part III: Title IX Decision-Maker
- ISBE Postpones Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Data Reporting Requirements
- Title IX Refresher Series Part II: The Title IX Investigator
- Masking Mandates Lifted
- OCR Provides Update on Rulemaking Process for Title IX
- OCR Dismisses LGBTQ+ Complaint Based on Title IX Religious Exemption
- Third Circuit Finds that Deliberate Indifference to Third-Party Conduct May Lead to Title IX Liability
- New Title IX Series: Refresher on the Roles and Responsibilities of Your Title IX Team
- Illinois Adopts New Laws Targeting Appropriate Staff-Student Boundaries and Prevention of Sexual Abuse in Schools
- Governor, IDPH, and ISBE Shorten Isolation and Quarantine Timeframes and Release Updated Guidance Documents
- Biden Administration to Propose New Title IX Rules by April 2022
- Illinois Passes New Legislation to Support Students Who Are Parents, Expectant Parents, or Victims of Domestic or Sexual Violence
- 2021 Legislative Update Summary of Changes in School Law
- Governor’s Executive Order Requiring Exclusion of Students and School Personnel
- ISBE Emergency Rules Regarding Mandatory Vaccinations
- Governor Pritzker’s Vaccine Mandate for Pre-K-12 School Personnel
- Vaccine Mandate
- Governor Pritzker Orders Universal Masking in All PreK-12 Schools
- OCR Issues Q&A on Title IX Regulations on Sexual Harassment
- Department of Education Releases COVID-19 Handbook for Higher Education
- Dynak who? Potential New Legislation Extends Timing and Expands Definition of Paid Sick Leave Under 24-6 of the the Illinois School Code
- Governor Updates Order Regarding Return to In-Person Learning
- The Question of the Hour: Will there be remote learning this fall?
- United States Supreme Court Hears Argument in Historic Student Speech Case
- Illinois Adopts Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards to Further Support Equity and Inclusion Efforts in Illinois Schools
- IDPH and CDC Update Guidance on School Exclusions and Close Contacts
- IDPH Updates FAQ and Exclusion Guidance for COVID-19 Cases in Schools
- Franczek P.C. Offers Title IX Toolkit, Training, and Services for Educational Institutions
- They’re Finally Here: U.S. Department of Education Issues Title IX Regulations
- Guidance for Developing Appeals Process of Unsatisfactory Ratings Under Public Act 101-0591
- Education Funding Begins to Become Available under the CARES Act
- Lemons into Lemonade: 4 Coronavirus Shutdown Tasks to Prepare for Title IX Rules
- Summary of March 27 Executive Order, Rules, and Guidance for Schools
- Title IX Considerations During COVID-19 School Closures
- COVID-19 Stimulus Law Allots $13.5 Billion to Public Schools
- Key Reminders on Student Enrollment, Discipline, Records, and Special Education During School Closures
- Schoology, Google Hangouts, and Zoom, Oh My! FERPA and Virtual Learning
- Beware the Overshare: What Student Information Can Schools Release in the COVID-19 Era?
- Don’t Let Tenure Mistakes Saddle You with Low-Performing Teachers
- A Word of Warning: Federal and State Resources Aim to Ease School Safety Planning
- ISBE Files Emergency Rules on Isolated Time Out
- “No Means No” is Not Enough—New Illinois Law a Reminder of the Nuances Required for K-12 Sex Education on Consent
- Can a Transgender Female Student compete on a Girls’ Sports Team? Supreme Court Justices Address the Question in LGBT Employment Case
- Can a Transgender Female Student Compete on a Girls’ Sports Team? Supreme Court Justices Address the Question in LGBT Employment Case
- So Much For Title IX Regs in September: A Quick Reference and Summary For the Meantime
- Franczek P.C. Launches Title IX Blog for K-12 and Higher Ed Leaders and Educators
- So Much For Title IX Regs in September: A Quick Reference and Summary For the Meantime
- New Law Imposes Various Measures to Address Student Safety, Including Educator License Suspension, Sexual Abuse Investigation Procedures, and More
- This Is Not a Drill: School Districts Now Required to Create Threat Assessment Teams and Implement Threat Assessment Procedures
- Governor Signs Law Requiring Collectively Bargained Appeals Process for “Unsatisfactory” Ratings
- Governor Pritzker Signs Law Requiring Parental Notice Before Police Questioning at School of Students Suspected of Crimes
- Record Student Homelessness Rates Warrant Refresher on Applicable Rules
- Four Things to Consider Before Disclosing Student Information in an Emergency
- Comments on Proposed Title IX Regulations Due January 28
- Proposed Title IX Regulations Raise Many Questions, Particularly for K-12 Schools
- Draft Proposed Title IX Regulations Hint at Significant Changes
- Department of Education Advises that Schools Can Comply with the Clear and Present Danger Reporting Requirements of the Firearm Concealed Carry Act without Violating FERPA
- NSBA Releases Guidance on Student Walkouts and the First Amendment
- National School Walkout Planned for March 14
- ISBE Issues Guidance on Homeless Dispute Resolution Procedures
- New OCR Title IX Dear Colleague Letter Withdraws Obama Era Guidance
- OCR Changes Investigation Protocols for Civil Rights Complaints
- DOE Dear Colleague Letter Advises Districts To Consider Whether IEPs of Students Experiencing Short-Term Disciplinary Removals Contain Adequate Behavioral Supports
- American College Health Association Releases Guidelines to Address Campus Sexual and Relationship Violence
- Illinois Passes Legislation Curbing Out-of-School Disciplinary Practices
- Illinois Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act Takes Effect
- Toolkit of Residency and Homeless Forms Available for Purchase
- ISBE Issues Updated Non-Regulatory Guidance on PERA and Senate Bill 7
- Schools Now Required to Report When a Student Poses a “Clear and Present Danger”
- DCFS: College and University Staff Must Report Suspected Child Abuse
- Principals Found Immune from Liability for Restricting Student Religious Speech
- Governor Signs Charter School Quality Law
- Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down Michigan’s Constitutional Amendment Banning Affirmative Action in University Admissions
- Supreme Court Decides Two Cases Involving Student Interrogations by Non-School Officials
- Governor Quinn Signs Education Reform Legislation
- School District is Within Its Authority to Enter Into Intergovernmental Agreement with City to Receive Tax Revenues
- Supreme Court Bars Taxpayers from Challenging Tax Credits Given for Contributions to Religious Schools
- Department of Education Issues New Guidance on RtI and Special Education Evaluations
- School District Must Provide Agreed-Upon Compensatory Services Within Ten Days of an IEP
- Court Applies SLAPP Statute in Case involving Parents and Former Employee
- Parents Prevail in Private School Claim Despite Student’s Good Grades in Public School
- School Districts May Utilize Their Own School Fee Waivers and Verification Process
- Illinois Appellate Court Clarifies OMA’s Special Meeting Notice and Open-and-Convenient Meeting Requirements
- Federal Judge Rules Claims Against Principal for “Turning a Blind Eye” to Sexual Abuse May Proceed to Trial
- Governor Quinn Signs Sweeping New FOIA Legislation
Publications
- Franczek Attorneys to Present at Title IX in the 7th Circuit
- Overview of the New 2024 Title IX Regulations
- Non-Renewals, RIFS and Tenure Acquisition: New Rules and Best Practices for 2024
- Responding to Bullying: New and Old Requirements for Legally Compliant Responses
- Checklist for End of COVID Health Emergency
- Franczek Training: Residency and Homelessness for Registration and Enrollment Staff
- 5 Things Complaint Managers and Non-Discrimination Coordinators Need to Know for 2023
- Fall 2022 School Law Updates
- Title IX Informal Resolution Facilitator Training
- Title IX Coordinator Training
- Title IX Refresher Training
- Q&A on School Threat Assessment Procedures
- COVID Update for the 2022-2023 School Year
- 2022 Title IX Proposed Rules – What You Need to Know
- Critical Trainings, Procedures and Discussions to Best Prepare for the 2022-2023 School Year
- Franczek Webinar – Three Key Considerations for Handling Curriculum Objections
- CEC 2022 – Confronting and Addressing Significant Disproportionality
- IASPA’s Fifteenth Annual Conference – Reduction on Force Primer
- Franczek Educational Equity Series: Evidence Based Funding
- Franczek Educational Equity Webinar Series: Supporting Students Reaching Their Post-Secondary Goals
- Join Franczek Attorneys at Joint Annual Conference Presentations
- Franczek Educational Equity Webinar Series: School and District Equity Leadership Teams
- COVID Update: Top 5 Things You Need to Know About the New ISBE and IDPH Guidance
- Franczek Educational Equity Webinar Series: Equity Priorities for 2021-2022
- Franczek Educational Equity Webinar Series: Engaging and Re-engaging Students and Families for 2021-2022
- Fall 2021 Reopening: COVID Legal Update for Schools
- Franczek Educational Equity Webinar Series: Addressing Disproportionality in Student Discipline and Best Practices for Nondiscriminatory Discipline
- Educational Equity Webinar Series: Addressing Disproportionality and Increasing Equity and Inclusion
- Title IX Webinar: Sexual Assault Off Campus—What Must, Can, and Should a School Do?
- Franczek Educational Equity Webinar Series: Supporting English Language Learners
- Franczek Educational Equity Webinar Series: Implementing Culturally Responsive Curriculum and Expanding Opportunities for Advanced Coursework
- Title IX T.E.A.M. Meetup
- Franczek Educational Equity Webinar Series: Recruiting, Hiring, and Retaining Diverse Teachers and Administrators
- Franczek Educational Equity Webinar Series: Role of the Equity Administrator
- Franczek Educational Equity Webinar Series: How are School Districts Addressing Issues of Racial Equity?
- Franczek Educational Equity Webinar Series – Join Us On Zoom!
- Franczek’s Title IX T.E.A.M. Meetup
- IASA Superintendents Panel: Hot Topics in the World of School Personnel
- Franczek Virtual School Law Conference – Shield and Sword: Law as a Driver of Educational Equity
- Franczek Annual School Law Conference—See You on Zoom!
- Exclusive Webinar for K-12 Title IX Toolkit Subscribers: Using Your Title IX Toolkit
- The Illinois K-12 Title IX T.E.A.M. Title IX Educational Administrators Meetup
- The Illinois K-12 Title IX T.E.A.M. Title IX Educational Administrators Meetup
- The Illinois K-12 Title IX T.E.A.M. Title IX Educational Administrators Meetup
- Franczek Webinar—The Road to Compliance: Essentials for Community Colleges, Colleges, and Universities Under the New Title IX
- Franczek Webinar—The Road to Compliance: Essentials for K-12 Schools Under the New Title IX
- Franczek Webinar—Your Summer To-Do List: Coronavirus Edition
- Franczek Webinar—The New Title IX: What You Should Know Now
- NSBA COSA Webinar—Fair and Balanced: Objective Investigations Under the “New” Title IX
- Franczek Webinar—Confidentiality and Threat Assessments: Essentials for Threat Assessment Teams and School Leaders
- NSBA COSA Webinar—Fair and Balanced: Objective Investigations Under the New Title IX
- Franczek’s Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines Workshop
- IASB In-House Counsel Networking Meeting—Legal Update and Overview on Title IX
- IAASE Fall Conference—Bullying and Special Education in the New Decade: What You Need to Know Now
- 2019 DeKalb County-Wide Institute—Title IX Today: What School Administrators Need to Know
- Franczek Webinar—Homebound/Hospital Instruction
- Franczek Webinar—Student Residency and Homeless Update
- 2019 DeKalb County-Wide Institute—Title IX Today: What School Administrators Need to Know
- IASA Aspiring Superintendent Academy—Legal Issue Scenarios
- Loyola University of Chicago 2019 Education Law: A Year in Review—Title IX Legal Overview
- Franczek Webinar—Trauma Responsive Schools
- Franczek Webinar—Board Member Basics
- ED-RED Meeting—Title IX Legal Overview
- Franczek Webinar—ESSA Arts Indicator: A Report and Recommendation to ISBE
- Franczek Webinar—IEP Season Is Coming… Are You Ready?
- Franczek Webinar—Student Mental Health Issues
- Franczek Webinar—Year-End Update
- Franczek Webinar—Title IX Update: Practical Guidance for Administrators
- Franczek Webinar—Homeless Student Issues
- Franczek Webinar—Graduation Ceremony Protests: Do’s and Don’ts
- Franczek’s 2018 School Law Conference
- Franczek Webinar—Update on the Current State of Immigration Laws in Education
- Franczek Webinar—Student Threats: Clear and Present Danger Reporting
- Franczek Webinar—Legal Update and Practical Guidance on Supporting Transgender Students
- Franczek Webinar—Responding to Sexual Harassment in Schools
- Webinar: Examining Student Threats
- Webinar: Investigations Involving Students
- Franczek’s 2017 School Law Conference
Events
Education
- J.D., magna cum laude, Loyola University Chicago School of Law, 2007
- B.A., summa cum laude, University of Colorado at Boulder, 2000, (sociology)
Bar & Court Admissions
- Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois