CUSD Case Summary

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In a recent article published in the Los Angeles Times, a local pro-bono law firm with the support of Irell & Manella LLP has filed a class action lawsuit against Compton Unified School District (CUSD) on behalf of students and teachers claiming CUSD is not providing a free and appropriate public education to students who are or have experienced “complex trauma” and violence. This lawsuit will define whether “complex trauma” meets the federal requirements as a disability and could afford protections under several federal laws, such as the Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). If the court does agree with the plaintiffs, this will put the onus on CUSD to deliver …show more content…

The legal decision in this case could greatly impact the future of education for students who suffer from horrible circumstances that they bring to school. According to Mark Rosenbaum, an attorney with Public Counsel, “If you really want to do something about the achievement gap, childhood trauma is the place to start” (Watanabe, 2015). In my experience working with students from trauma-filled backgrounds for almost 20 years, I can attest that they bring their home lives to school, and if the education system does not address their needs the consequences for them could be devastating. Issues such as chemical dependency, poverty, violence, and involvement in the prison system are examples of potential negative outcomes for untreated mental health issues including violence and trauma. “For many, such traumas have been multiple and prolonged throughout life, and such experiences are intertwined with mental illness, substance abuse, and behavioral problems” (Whitten, 2012). In my opinion, we cannot afford to ignore this critical issue. If we do we will pay in other ways later, not to mention that many young people in this country might never become contributing members of their