Special Education Video

A Mother’s Battle for Classroom Cameras

September 30, 2016 1:30
A Mother's Battle for Classroom Cameras
Texas mother Breggett Rideau talks about her 10-year fight for the state's school districts to install cameras in self-contained special education classrooms upon parent request. (September 30, 2016)
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The journey to cameras in self-contained special education classrooms in Texas started with one angry mother. Breggett Rideau found out that her severely disabled, nonverbal son had been abused by his teacher. After winning a $1 million verdict against the school district, she took her fight to the legislature, which in 2015 approved a law requiring districts to install cameras in self-contained classrooms upon parent or teacher request. The law went into effect for the 2016-17 school year. Breggett Rideau explains what kept her going during the 10-year journey.

Coverage of issues related to creating opportunities for all American students and their families to choose a quality school is supported by a grant from the Walton Family Foundation, at waltonk12.org. Education Week retains sole editorial control over the content of this coverage.

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