RELEASE DATE:聽聽 July 28, 2021聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 CONTACT: 聽 Trish McDermott, trishmcdermott@berkeley.net, (510) 644-6320
Berkeley, CA 鈥 On July 8, 2021, the federal district court for Northern California granted preliminary approval to a class action settlement detailing the commitment of the Berkeley Unified School District (sm论坛) to improving reading and literacy for students with reading disabilities. The Berkeley Unified School District Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve a Literacy Improvement Action Plan in November 2020, reinforcing the District鈥檚 commitment to improve general and special education reading instruction and close the achievement gap for struggling readers.聽 The plan is part of an agreement negotiated between sm论坛 and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Inc. (DREDF) and other advocates.
The agreement resolves a federal lawsuit filed in May 2017 by four current and former sm论坛 students and their parents. While still in the early stages of the litigation, the parties worked collaboratively to outline the comprehensive Literacy Improvement Action Plan, which is designed to increase reading proficiency for students, with a focus on early identification of students at risk of reading difficulties.聽 Features of the Action Plan include implementation of tools and instruction aimed at early identification of struggling readers; additional professional development for sm论坛 teachers and staff around the science of reading and reading instruction; and expanded policies and procedures around Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goal setting and progress monitoring for students with reading disabilities, including dyslexia.
Deborah Jacobson of Jacobson Education Law, Claudia Center, Legal Director of Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund, and King & Spalding partner, Shane Brun, are co-lead counsel for the Plaintiffs. sm论坛 was represented by Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani LLP.
Rub茅n Aurelio, sm论坛 Associate Superintendent Educational Services, stated 鈥淭he Literacy Improvement Action Plan reflects the collaborative spirit that is shared by sm论坛 teachers, administration, and the School Board to promote early and successful reading District-wide. 聽The district is committed to ensuring that struggling readers rise to the life opportunities ahead of them and improving reading literacy for these students is an important step in that process.
鈥淚 have represented individual students in sm论坛 who struggled to learn to read and came to believe there were systemic issues within sm论坛鈥檚 existing programs that could not be solved on a case-by-case basis,鈥 said Jacobson. 鈥淥nce implemented, the Literacy Improvement Program promises a more sustainable, accessible, and equitable solution for all students who struggle to learn to read in the sm论坛.鈥
鈥淭his settlement is the result of three years of collaboration with sm论坛鈥檚 administration to further our common goal of preparing disabled students to live full and independent lives,鈥 said Center. 鈥淩eading is the gateway to higher education, meaningful employment, and full participation in our democracy.鈥
*鈥淭he improvement of sm论坛鈥檚 child find process and reading programs for reading disabled students will happen over the next three years, with the involvement and oversight by nationally recognized reading and literacy experts and close monitoring by our legal teams,鈥 said Brun. 鈥淥ur team has been inspired by the commitment of Ms. Jacobson and DREDF seeing this case through to this point, but we all know the most critical and important work for these students lies ahead.鈥
For more information about the Berkeley Unified School District鈥檚 Literacy Improvement Action Plan, see .