Federal suits claim segregation, abuse of disabled students
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A group of Tennessee parents says the public schools are mistreating their disabled children, and they’re asking a federal judge to intervene.
The parents say their children are being segregated from able-bodied students, isolated, restrained and even abused.
Federal law requires schools to educate disabled students alongside their non-disabled peers to the extent possible. But experts say teachers often lack the training and resources to deal with disabled students’ behavioral challenges. Stories of mistreatment are common.
The Tennessee lawsuits involve different school districts, but all name the state Education Department as a defendant. The state’s attorneys argue that the state can’t be held responsible for local district actions.
But the parents hope the judge will order the Education Department to hold the districts accountable.
