High court may put more bite into law for disabled students

[DonViejo]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court appears willing to put more bite into a law that requires public schools to help learning-disabled students.

Most of the justices seemed to agree during arguments Wednesday that school districts must offer more than the bare minimum of services to children with special needs. But they struggled over how to clarify the law without inviting even more litigation between frustrated parents and schools.

The court is considering an appeal from the parents of an autistic teen in Colorado who say their public school did not do enough to help their son. They are seeking reimbursement for the cost of private school.

The case could have major implications for millions of disabled students in the nation’s public schools.

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Read more: http://www.salon.com/2017/01/11/high-court-may-put-more-bite-into-law-for-disabled-students/

[Tikki]

1. Public school sponsored programs should be held to the same requirements.

Tikki

[Tikki]

4. At least where we live, parents pay money, (often dearly) for these public school sponsored

programs and the special needs students nearly always get the raw end of the program.

Tikki

[arithia]

2. Good. About time.

So many differently-abled students are let down by our school systems due to lack of training, lack of resources and good ol bigotry.

Minority kids and children from poor districts are far more likely to be expelled or punished for acting within the scope of their disorders. This is especially problematic as so many states involve law enforcement personnel for dealing with so called disciplinary issues.

[radical noodle]

3. Someone needs to fund these things

Everyone knows these services are important but schools are running on empty. My daughter teaches inclusion, working with special needs kids. She does the IEPs. She is overloaded with work but they don't even have enough money for an aide.