Action Item: Contacting Dept. of Justice about alternative ed discrimination

Based on the Education Law Center’s legal complaintthe U.S. Department of Justice has opened an investigation into discriminatory placement of students in Pennsylvania’s Alternative Education for Disruptive Youth programs.

The Law Center’s August 2013 complaint cites four years worth of Pennsylvania data showing a disproportionately high number of students with disabilities and African American students are removed from traditional public schools and sent to educationally inferior AEDY or similar alternative education programs, often in violation of federal laws.

Parents, students, caregivers, social service professionals, and others who have had experience with Pennsylvania’s Alternative Education for Disruptive Youth programs can contact DOJ directly to help in their investigation. [email protected]

Please include a contact name and telephone number in the email. Also include the child’s name, age, grade, school district(s) attended and description of their experience with the state’s Alternative Education for Disruptive Youth program(s).  Or call DOJ directly at (202) 305-3223.

The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice enforces federal statutes prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, disability, religion, familial status and national origin.

– See more at: Feds to investigate discrimination in Pa’s alternative ed programs