Dept. of Ed says DCPS discriminated against kids with disabilities

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has concluded an investigation and found D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) discriminates against children with disabilities.

Failure to correct this could cost the school system federal money.

“Some students wait four months or longer for evaluations, delaying the support essential to their learning and development,” the Department of Education said.

Attorney Brian Gruber has devoted three decades of his career to helping the parents of DCPS sue to ensure the education of their children with disabilities. He says it’s a painful process that some parents have to do repeatedly.

“DCPS does what they want to do, and then it’s a scorched earth policy,” he said. “They leave it up to parents to have to fight back.”

In a statement to News4, a spokesperson for the school system said, “Our district takes these findings seriously, and we remain committed to ensuring students with disabilities receive every service and support they are entitled to under federal law.”

The statement goes on to say, “The report raises important issues related to policy clarity, coordination across divisions, and the accessibility of current information for families, including evaluations, service delivery, and transportation.”

The Department of Education is recommending changes to allow DCPS to correct the violations it discovered. They include the establishment of a Disability Services Division, the revision of policies related to students with disabilities, annual training of staff and improving management of transportation and safety.

“How confident am I today in March of 2026 that the District of Columbia Public Schools to remedy issues that go back before 1971? My response on that is I have no confidence whatsoever,” Gruber said.

DCPS says it will coordinate with the District of Columbia State Board of Education to improve delays of bus service, which is provided for students with disabilities.