New York City Parents Union
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Op-Eds
  • In The News
  • Videos
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Op-Eds
  • In The News
  • Videos
  • Contact Us

New York City Parents Union

Lawsuit rips schools for abandoning special needs kids amid COVID-19 pandemic

by nycparentsunion_c6z1iq July 16, 2020July 29, 2020

By Selim Algar |

School districts across the country have abandoned special education kids amid the coronavirus crisis, according to a class action Manhattan federal lawsuit slated to be filed Friday.

The case argues that districts ignored federal law by failing to provide legally mandated services to kids who suffer from mental and physical deficits after the closure of schools in March.

“These school districts violated the rights of 6.7 million students across the country by altering their educational programs,” said parent and activist Patrick Donohue. “They put the burden on parents to do the job of these school districts.”

The case names Mayor Bill de Blasio, Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza and districts across the country as defendants.

Backers of the suit will release radio ads in New York to draw attention to the ongoing plight of special education parents.

Two hundred families in 10 states have signed on as plaintiffs so far, arguing that remote learning models have been inadequate for special education kids who often require one on one assistance.

“These programs are federally protected,” Donohue said.

The case is demanding the resumption of full-time in person special education for impacted kids, fresh evaluations for badly regressed children, compensation for parental expenses incurred during remote learning and funding for additional staff.

SEE ALSO

NYC reopening plan could ‘screw’ 90,000 kids with no school buses

If programs don’t fully resume, the case is pushing for districts to give parents a “blank check” to provide adequate independent services for their children.

“The districts have totally abandoned these families,” said Donohue, who has a disabled teen daughter and has frequently warred with the DOE over her education.

He noted that the city furnished learning centers for the children of emergency workers during the prior school year but made no similar accommodation for special education students.

“There are horror stories from across the country,” Donohue said, highlighting a mother with two autistic kids who was forced to quit her job in order to take care of her kids after in-person services were suspended.

He also ripped remote learning for disabled kids as wholly ineffective.

“In many cases, the local school districts failed to even provide live synchronous service to these students while they were home,” he said.  “Instead, the responsibility for ‘remote learning’ landed squarely on the shoulders of parents across America.”

A DOE spokeswoman said the department prioritized health concerns when it shuttered schools and was compelled to move to remote learning.

“We quickly moved to remote learning, including special education services in order to provide students with disabilities with continuity of services during the pandemic,” said Danielle Filson. “This summer, we are offering in-person related services for our students with disabilities. We are acting in the best interests of our students while following health guidance and will review the lawsuit.”

https://nypost.com/2020/07/16/lawsuit-rips-schools-for-abandoning-special-needs-kids-amid-covid-19/

previous post
NYC reopening plan could leave 90,000 students stranded with no buses
next post
Mayor de Blasio’s childcare plan is far from enough: councilmen

You may also like

City schools see 2,000 percent rise in ‘forcible-sex...

The Hypocrisy of the Education Reform Movement

NYC reopening plan could leave 90,000 students stranded...

Mayor de Blasio’s childcare plan is far from...

Parents say Richard Carranza calls them racist for...

Mona Davids Interview With Errol Louis On Inside...

The National Parents Union – Founded 2012

Posts Slider

Inside City Hall with Errol Louis: Suing Over...

Statement On Latest Victory For Parents In The...

‘Academic diversity’ plan for NYC schools opens racial...

City’s education department has history of protecting bad...

EXCLUSIVE: City dropped $10,000 on chancellor’s booklet and...

Amount of weapons seized in NYC schools has...

How NYC protects principals accused of sex harassment

NYC schools see rise in lockdown incidents

De Blasio can’t seem to fire bad teachers,...

DE BLASIO’S MISRULE OF NYC’S SCHOOLS MUST END

HEY, DE BLASIO, WHAT’S YOUR PLAN FOR BETTER...

PARENT ADVOCATE: PUT AN END TO UNIONS HOLDING...

THE GREAT DIPLOMA SCAM ROBS ALL CITY SCHOOLKIDS...

Sam Pirozzolo Discusses Teacher Tenure

https://youtu.be/FzmZLa_Ocvo

Sam Pirozzolo Speaking About School Safety

https://youtu.be/0f2hGpM4HMg

SUBSCRIBE NEWSLETTER

Subscribe to our email list for the latest education news, lawsuit updates and more.

Popular Posts

  • How NYC protects principals accused of sex harassment

  • 2

    Inside City Hall with Errol Louis: Suing Over Tenure

  • NYC schools see rise in lockdown incidents

  • 4

    Statement On Latest Victory For Parents In The Historic Education Quality And Safety Lawsuit

  • De Blasio can’t seem to fire bad teachers, data shows

Get In Touch

Subscribe to our email list for the latest education news, lawsuit updates and more.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

© 2019 | New York City Parents Union | All Rights Reserved.


Back To Top