Big Win in Court in Our Battle to End the Use of Shortened School Days

Judge’s ruling recognizes shortened school days is a statewide problem 

Today, federal Judge Ann Aiken ruled that our lawsuit against the state of Oregon will move forward as a class action lawsuit.

• Read the Order Granting Class Certification

This important milestone means we will now represent, in addition to our four plaintiffs, all students who have been subjected to a shortened school day in Oregon. As a result, we will be able to examine statewide policies, practices, and procedures that allow and encourage the use of shortened school days.

Judge: Students with disabilities face a significant risk of being placed on a shortened school day

In her decision, Judge Aiken recognized that this is a widespread problem, which reaches across Oregon, stating:

"Plaintiffs have shown that misuse of shortened school days to address disability-related behaviors is widespread among Oregon schools."

"Together, this evidence demonstrates that the risk that a class member will be placed on an unnecessarily shortened school day due to their disability-related behaviors is significant."

Shortened school days rob many children with disabilities of the chance to learn alongside their peers, denying them the foundation that they need to thrive for years to come.