Stamford Public Schools, Educational Discrimination, Connecticut 2024
Stamford Public Schools, the Stamford Public School District in Stamford, Conn., has agreed to provide language services to over 2,000 English Language Learner (ELL) students after allegations of educational discrimination surfaced, according to a settlement agreement reached with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.
The agreement, reached after a compliance review under the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974, requires the district to implement wide-ranging measures to ensure ELL students have equal opportunities to succeed academically in its educational programs.
The compliance review found that the district was not providing adequate language acquisition services to ELL students, including qualified teachers, instruction, and dedicated resources to meet their learning needs.
Under the agreement, the district must provide language acquisition services to all ELL students until they reach the state’s English proficiency criteria, ensure that teachers of ELL students are qualified to provide these services, and obtain adequate materials for ELL students.
Additionally, the district must monitor students after they exit ELL services to ensure they are participating meaningfully and equally in general education classes, and make appropriate language services available for ELL students with disabilities.
Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Jocelyn Samuels praised the school district for working collaboratively with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to develop the comprehensive plan reflected in the settlement agreement.
“Faithful implementation of this settlement agreement will ensure that ELL students, like all district students, have access to qualified teachers, instruction designed to impart the necessary English language skills, and dedicated resources to meet ELL students’ particular learning needs,” Samuels said.
The enforcement of the Equal Educational Opportunities Act is a top priority of the Civil Rights Division. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website.
Key Facts
- State: Connecticut
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →