Lawsuit: Making Sure Children Attend a Full Day of School
A child with disabilities may need support to thrive in their classroom and develop the skills they need to succeed in life. Hundreds of Oregon children don't attend full days of school for months or even years at a time. With the right support, all children can learn in school alongside their classmates.
DRO 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.
Is Your Child Still Being Denied Full-Day School?
We’d Like to Hear from You!
By now, your school district should have informed you of your child’s increased rights to a full day of school under Senate Bill 819, a new law that ends all Oregon school districts’ rights to insist on a shortened school day when you object. As of July 2023, your school district is required to return your child to a full day of school within five days, if you object to a shortened school day.
As part of Disability Rights Oregon’s continued efforts to end the illegal and harmful use of shortened school days, we are concerned that some districts may be violating this the requirements of SB 819.
We would like to hear your story if, after telling your district you object, your child has not been returned to a full day of school. We are especially interested in hearing about problems that may be affecting other children in your district. Thank you!
Press Release
January 22, 2019: Oregon Failing to Ensure That All Children Can Attend a Full day of School
September 2, 2020: Resounding Win for Children with Disabilities: Judge Rules Systemic Federal Lawsuit Can Move Forward
February 8, 2021: Lawsuit Gains Class Action Certification: Oregon School Districts Need to Provide Students with Disabilities Equal School Day Lengths
July 7, 2022: Hundreds of Oregon’s disabled students are illegally denied full school days, new report finds
Case Documents
J.N. v. ODE, Case No. 6:19-cv-00096-AA
January 22, 2019: Class Action Complaint
April 19, 2019: Motion to Dismiss
May 3, 2019: Response to Motion to Dismiss
February 3, 2020: Motion for Class Certification
September 1, 2020: Opinion and Order on Motion to Dismiss
February 5, 2021: Order Granting Class Certification
June 30, 2022: Neutral Expert Report
Media Coverage
January 9, 2019: State scolds schools that shortchange disabled students
January 22, 2019: Oregon hit with class action lawsuit over short school days for students with disabilities
March 7, 2019: In Oregon, a lawsuit aimed at supporting disabled students
July 13, 2019: Shortened school day case faces motion to dismiss
March 25, 2021: Sent home early: Lost learning in special education
March 19, 2022: 'Egregious violation': Parents demand equal education time for students with disabilities
