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Court Oversight of Los Angeles Unified Special Education Program to End (8-19-19)

Oversight was required in Modified Consent Decree, which Court Agreed to Terminate

 

LOS ANGELES (Aug. 19, 2019) - The U.S. District Court, Central District of California has approved an agreement, signed by all parties to the agreement, to end the Modified Consent Decree, effective December 31, 2019. This ends 26 years of court-ordered oversight of Los Angeles Unified's special education program.

The initial consent decree was put in place in 1993 and became the Modified Consent Decree (“MCD”) in 2003. The MCD provided specific requirements for improving special education programs and included performance-based outcomes that had to be met. Los Angeles Unified will continue monitoring progress in its special education programs to ensure all students with disabilities receive a fair and free public education. 

“This is an important milestone for Los Angeles Unified and the students and families we serve,” Superintendent Austin Beutner said. “The Court has recognized the exceptional work we’ve done to serve the needs of students in our special education programs. We plan to build on the progress and make sure every student in Los Angeles Unified, including those with special needs, gets a great education.”

“Countless individuals have worked diligently over the years to ensure that our students with special needs receive the services to which they are entitled,” Board President Dr. Richard Vladovic said. “We commend them for their commitment and efforts to provide educational opportunities for all students.”

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