State education department promises improved oversight

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has promised to provide better oversight for its alternative education programs, after the U.S. Department of Justice launched an investigation into complaints that the schools don’t provide the proper support for students with disabilities or who don’t speak English.

The U.S. Department of Justice on Monday announced that it has concluded a civil rights investigation of Pennsylvania’s Alternative Education for Disruptive Youth, or AEDY, programs.

The Justice Department, along with the three U.S. attorneys offices in Pennsylvania, were investigating whether the programs discriminated against students with disabilities and whether they provided adequate support for students who don’t speak English, according to a news release.

According to state law, students who meet certain criteria and are in middle or high school can be referred to an alternative education program, which is separate from general education programs.

Under a settlement agreement, the Pennsylvania Department of Education has agreed to ensure that students with disabilities receive an individual assessment to determine whether their behavior issues stem from the disability; monitor whether students with disabilities are transferred in a timely manner back to their regular schools; ensure that local education agencies offer appropriate supports and interventions before referring students to an alternative placement; and determine that no students are placed in an AEDY solely because of a disability.

Also as part of the agreement, the education department agreed to ensure that local education agencies provide plans to support students who don’t speak English in an AEDY.

“All students should be provided an opportunity to succeed and are entitled to learn in an educational environment free from discrimination,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division in a statement. “We commend PDE’s cooperation throughout our investigation and for its commitment to ensure that students with disabilities and English learners are not prevented from learning opportunities afforded to other students. All students should receive the lawfully required help they need to participate equally in schools.”