The Los Angeles school district has reassured parents that it will not close 18 schools that primarily serve children with disabilities.
In an effort to settle a 1993 lawsuit, the board last December gave initial approval to a consent decree that would overhaul the district’s special-education system. (See Education Week, Jan. 10, 1996.)
In January public hearings, some parents objected to the consent decree. They feared the 18 schools would be closed to comply with federal requirements for educating disabled children in the “least restrictive environment” possible.
The district and the plaintiffs are modifying the consent decree in response to feedback from the hearings, a district spokesman said. The school board is expected to vote on the document this week.
NCAA Asked To Modify Rules
The U.S. Department of Justice has advised the National Collegiate Athletic Association to correct eligibility policies that might hinder high school students with disabilities.
The NCAA came under investigation after several high school students filed complaints alleging that the association had violated the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Chad Ganden, a high school swimming champion from Illinois, was refused permission to make early-signing visits to colleges and universities. Mr. Ganden, who has a learning disability, had not met the NCAA’s course requirements, and school officials refused to certify that he had taken comparable courses, an alternative procedure the NCAA established for the learning disabled. (See Education Week, Dec. 13, 1995.)
An NCAA spokeswoman said some of the Justice Department’s suggestions had been implemented and others would be considered at the organization’s council meeting next month.
New Judge in Cleveland
A new judge has been assigned to the Cleveland school-desegregation case, replacing U.S. Senior Circuit Judge Robert B. Krupansky.
U.S. District Judge George W. White stepped in March 1 to succeed Judge Krupansky, whose stormy tenure on the case had led to accusations of partiality.
Judge Krupansky had announced last December that he would end his involvement in the case this month. (See Education Week, Jan. 10, 1996.)
