Disability Rights Oregon has joined with other advocacy groups and parents of children with disabilities to file a class action lawsuit Tuesday against the Oregon Department of Education and Oregon Governor Kate Brown. The complaint claims that hundreds of children with disabilities across the state have been denied the opportunity to attend a full day of school. It says “many public schools throughout Oregon have unnecessarily and unlawfully shortened the school day for children who engage in challenging classroom behaviors related to their disabilities.” We’ll hear more about the lawsuit from Disability Rights Oregon staff attorney Joel Greenberg and hear the story of one mother whose child has been subjected to shortened school days. We contacted the governor’s office and the Oregon Department of Education to request comment on the lawsuit. Marc Siegel from the Oregon Department of Education sent us this statement:
“Oregon Department of Education is committed to equity and excellence for every learner. As you know, the Department can’t comment on ongoing litigation.”