Court Monitoring Confirms Providence Schools Compliance with Special Ed Settlement
An independent court-appointed monitor has verified that the Providence Public School District (PPSD) and the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) fulfilled their obligations under a 2023 settlement, allowing a federal class action case to be closed.
Settlement Details and Background
The settlement, reached in July 2023 in the U.S. District Court for Rhode Island, addressed delays in providing special education services for preschool children. The lawsuit was filed by Parents Leading for Educational Equity (PLEE) and three children along with their parents, who accused local schools and RIDE of neglecting children aged 3 to 5 with learning disabilities.
The plaintiffs claimed that Providence schools and RIDE failed to provide the necessary accommodations for children with learning disabilities.
Findings of Compliance
The report by the independent monitor found that the Providence Public School Department demonstrated substantial compliance with the agreement signed in August 2023.
Implications
This compliance allows the Providence Public School District to move forward and close the lawsuit related to special education services for preschoolers.
Author's summary
The court monitor confirmed that Providence schools and RIDE met their 2023 settlement obligations, ending a lawsuit over inadequate special education services for preschoolers, highlighting improvements in compliance with educational rights.