Will DCPS be sued?

[Anonymous]

This may have been asked in a different three so feel free to redirect but is DCPS opening itself up to a lawsuit by allowing each school to develop their own reopening plan? It seems very inequitable to have some schools offer IPL and others only virtual using the school as a learning hub. Additionally, what about the fact that not everyone who wants an IP slot can get it? The entire set up seems very unfair and widening the education gap. Is it what DCPS doing legal?

[Anonymous]

You realize 'public' charters have had this power all along right? It's not illegal by any means.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This may have been asked in a different three so feel free to redirect but is DCPS opening itself up to a lawsuit by allowing each school to develop their own reopening plan? It seems very inequitable to have some schools offer IPL and others only virtual using the school as a learning hub. Additionally, what about the fact that not everyone who wants an IP slot can get it? The entire set up seems very unfair and widening the education gap. Is it what DCPS doing legal?

I think it’s only a matter of time.

[Anonymous]

A lawsuit could get the city's attention.

[Anonymous]

I’m not sure what you would be looking for. Lots of schools have met the demand for in person learning (including schools in upper nw). Maybe you could force Dcps to open up the open slots to anyone from any school. More than likely you would be stuck in a lawsuit that goes on for years and by the time it settled the pandemic would be old news

[Anonymous]

Are you an actual DCPS parent or a charter parent who wants DCPS to fully open so your charter will?

DCPS doesn’t set the number of students in a classroom. So you would actually have to sue OSSE and the Department of Health.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure what you would be looking for. Lots of schools have met the demand for in person learning (including schools in upper nw). Maybe you could force Dcps to open up the open slots to anyone from any school. More than likely you would be stuck in a lawsuit that goes on for years and by the time it settled the pandemic would be old news

How? Some schools yes but some parents who want IPL did not get slots.

[Anonymous]

The opportunities schools offered throughout dcps have never been equitable. Courts throughout the country haber said there is no individualized right to an education outside of special ed. So I don't see a basis for a lawsuit.

[Anonymous]

I can see parents of special needs children in self contained classrooms being able to sue. Only 4 students can be in person and the other 4 virtual. Those 4 students in person IEPs instructional time is being met while the virtual students time is not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You realize 'public' charters have had this power all along right? It's not illegal by any means.

I an afraid that you are correct, but it important to note that access to some special charter is not the same fundamental need as access to in person education. I agree with OP that it is outrageous that they are allowed to do it this way, instead of being forced to accommodate everybody in the same way. No other country does it this way or would allow it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you an actual DCPS parent or a charter parent who wants DCPS to fully open so your charter will?

DCPS doesn’t set the number of students in a classroom. So you would actually have to sue OSSE and the Department of Health.

This. The CDC has issued guidelines, OSSE has issued rules, the CARES Act enables teachers to stay home, the WTU obstructs, er, I man, advocates, and the Mayor and Chancellor flail.

There are lots of externally imposed limits. There are only two ways DCPS can offer IPL within these constraints:
1. Limit the IPL seats offered.
2. Hire another 5,000 teachers (for $0) and build another 100+ schools instantaneously.

The other option is to keep everyone virtual. But they’d get sued for that too.

[Anonymous]

No but they should be for the way they mismanaged “re-opening.”

[Anonymous]

No because everyone thinks saying “someone should sue” on DCUM means someone else will. No one wants to put their money where their mouth is and hire a lawyer.

[Anonymous]

Surely some parent is a lawyer and could get it started. There have been lawsuits elsewhere. I believe that in san francisco there was a lawsuit citing the mental public health crisis among students. It doesn't need to go on for years only until schools open. Personally the school based system has served me well, because we have half days four days per week and my child is finally learning, whereas the district standard is two days per week with much of the in-person time spent watching specials on the computer. The problem I see is that the city has almost completely ignored parents who want schools opened and let union dictate nearly the entire process. Taking Wednesdays away from students is a perfect example of this. I don't like lawsuits, but it seems as though only something drastic can make the city listen. The city has to commit to five days per week in the fall and adjust the OSSE guidelines.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Surely some parent is a lawyer and could get it started. There have been lawsuits elsewhere. I believe that in san francisco there was a lawsuit citing the mental public health crisis among students. It doesn't need to go on for years only until schools open. Personally the school based system has served me well, because we have half days four days per week and my child is finally learning, whereas the district standard is two days per week with much of the in-person time spent watching specials on the computer. The problem I see is that the city has almost completely ignored parents who want schools opened and let union dictate nearly the entire process. Taking Wednesdays away from students is a perfect example of this. I don't like lawsuits, but it seems as though only something drastic can make the city listen. The city has to commit to five days per week in the fall and adjust the OSSE guidelines.

We are not doing 5 days in the fall. You will get 2-3. The highest need students will get 3.