Join Our Fight Against
Shortened Schooldays

Our fight against unnecessary shortened school days is back in court, and you can help us win for Oregon students and families!

According to Senate Bill 819, Oregon school districts are no longer allowed to reduce any child’s school day without gaining a parent or guardian’s consent first. That’s been state law since July 2023, and it’s a good thing.

Unfortunately, some districts are still illegally denying children full days at school by putting parents in impossible situations. Districts must provide the supports children need to succeed in class, but some are pressuring parents to “choose” between a shortened school day or other harmful alternatives such as:

Disability Rights Oregon has been fighting the Oregon Department of Education via a class-action lawsuit for years. The department is supposed to protect children, but that’s not what seems to be happening. Instead, districts and the state regularly report suspiciously large numbers of parents and students “choosing” shortened school days as proof it’s no longer a problem in Oregon.

If you have been pressured to “accept” a shortened school day because your district offered you no other reasonable choice, your child’s story could help win the fight against unnecessary shortened school days in Oregon — and ensure all children with disabilities in Oregon receive a fair and appropriate public education.

If you are interested in helping DRO win that fight, thank you for sharing the requested information below*:

• repeated suspensions

• frequent restraints or seclusions

• constant removals from the classroom such as sitting for hours in an office or at a desk in the hallway

• home instruction for a few hours a week

• seeing their children sent home weekly or more often because of “bad days” or “lack of staff”

* Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship or guarantee legal advice.

Lawsuit: J.N. v Oregon Department of Education

In addition to fighting for full-day school via legislative advocacy, Disability Rights Oregon filed a federal, class action lawsuit to force the State to play a larger role in making sure that school districts are equipped to support children with disabilities in their classrooms. Providing children with disabilities with the proper support at a crucial moment early in their lives will give them the foundation they need to thrive in their classrooms and communities for years to come.