Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) helps make a difference…

By the time Joe Bates finished middle school in 2004, he had fallen years behind his classmates. He had learning disabilities that had been ignored by his school. Desperate for help, his mother, Carolyn Bates, turned to Southern Poverty Law Center for help.

Joe was identified as a student with a learning disability when he was in the 3rd grade. But his parents were dumbfounded when he was suddenly found ineligible for special education services as a 6th-grader.Though the school district claimed he was cured of his learning disability, he continued to struggle with emotional problems, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, severe asthma and continued learning problems. After requesting he be re-tested and going through an administrative process several times, they filed suit in federal court, claiming that their child's rights under the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act were being violated.

SPLC won a settlement for Joe. The school system refused to acknowledge that Joe had special education needs but agreed to provide special accommodations designed to improve his academic performance, biweekly progress reports to his parents, better coordination among teachers and tutors, and vocational training as necessary. Joe graduated from Selma High School as an A-student and enrolled at a community college.

Joe individually. That's why the Center has filed class action complaints in school districts in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida to seek systemic reforms that will help all children with learning disabilities get the individualized services they need.

Southern Poverty Law Center is a CVC recognized charity – Designate CVC # 0454.

 

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