Disability advocates file complaint against Wake schools

RALEIGH, N.C. — In the latest in a series of civil rights complaints against the Wake County Public School System, a group of advocates for students with disabilities charges that those students are not getting the education they deserve.

Advocates for Children’s Services and Raleigh attorney Mark Trustin filed the complaint with the state Department of Public Instruction Thursday alleging violations of federal and state law by Wake schools against students who are disabled and serving long-term suspensions from the classroom.

The complaint alleges that those students don't have the individualized educational adaptations guaranteed to them by law while they are outside the normal classroom, in alternative schools or in tutoring programs.

The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights is already investigating a complaint against the school system about the treatment of Spanish-speaking parents of Latino students.

That complaint names three Latino students who were informed in English that they were being given long-term suspensions. Letters in English were sent home to their parents, who couldn't read them, the groups claim.

The Office of Civil Rights is also looking into whether the district's controversial student assignment policy is unfair to low-income students.

In June, the district settled a Title IX complaint stemming from athletic opportunities for female students.

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The Furry Godmother- Physical disabilities don't mean a kid is unable to learn. I had a severely physically handicapped student this year who was one of the smartest students I've ever had. A physical disabilty does not mean you will not be successful in a regular classroom setting.

And students with disabilities does not necessarily mean physical disabilities. Many people are fine physically but have a learning disability and are still able to be succesful in a regular classroom.

Thought like that are why we NEED federal laws, so smart students who happen to have a disability aren't pushed to the side and forgotten about.

I agree with you about discpline problems though. If your behavior is impeding a classroom of children from learning, you should be removed and put in a seperate class.

ewcheercoach
July 20, 2012 10:28 a.m.

"The complaint alleges that those students don't have the individualized educational adaptations guaranteed to them by law while they are outside the normal classroom, in alternative schools or in tutoring programs."

Interesting!

Disabilities doesn't necessarily mean those with discipline problems. Those with physical disabilities should be in different classes from those with discipline problems altogether which would afford those with physical disabilities a better environment in which to try to learn.

Iak Hsehpen
July 19, 2012 7:58 p.m.

Please let the special interest groups go away. So sick of hearing a handful cause trouble for the majority. Parents, deal with it. Just - - deal.

storchheim
July 19, 2012 7:56 p.m.

So we mainstream kids with disabilities and they don't have to follow discipline guidelines and can't be suspended? And what happens to the students who are there to learn?

Nancy
July 19, 2012 7:38 p.m.

Schools bend over backwards to work and be fair with all kids the best they can. There should be a lawsuit representing the middle of the road kids that get neglected because the teacher needs to spend the majority of their time tending to the needs of those who do not speak english, who have learning disabilities, have physical & mental disabilities and behavioral problems - and this is all in ONE class.

BBQNC1
July 19, 2012 7:01 p.m.