RIDE, PPSD, families reach settlement over special education lawsuit

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) –The Rhode Island ACLU, RI Center for Justice, Rhode Island Department of Education and Providence Public School Department announced that a settlement was reached in a federal class-action complaint recently filed regarding special education services.

The federal complaint, filed back in July on behalf of Parents Leading for Educational Equity (PLEE), a non-profit organization that advocates for families in educational matters, alleged that PPSD and RIDE failed to provide evaluations, special education and other related services to preschool students.

In the settlement, PPSD and RIDE agreed to the following conditions to remedy the issues detailed in the federal complaint:

• Parents and children with Individual Education Plans will receive a series of notices starting immediately, informing them about assignments and services available to them
• PPSD will add evaluation teams to help speed up the evaluation process
• Parents who are awaiting evaluations will be notified of their ability to secure them at PPSD’s expense

Officials said both PPSD and RIDE will have a representative from the court to monitor progress with providing evaluations and special education services through October 1, 2024.

The settlement is still subject to notification of those involved in the case, which includes both students who are awaiting special needs evaluations as well as eligible students who are still awaiting services.

A release from RIDE, PPSD, and all parties involved in the lawsuit reads in part, “All children deserve access to a quality education that meets their individual needs and helps them thrive. The Rhode Island Department of Education, Providence Public Schools, families, and advocates, including PLEE, the RI Center for Justice and the ACLU of Rhode Island are committed to continuing to work collaboratively to ensure adequate support systems are in place to help students in need succeed. Providence, like communities across the nation, faces ongoing challenges in delivering preschool special education in part due to the pandemic, and we know that it will take sustained partnership and commitment to get the job done.”