Couple sues school district for disproportionately sending black kids to special education programs

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A Washington couple is suing the school district for First Amendment violations and for racial profiling.

Lawrence and Katherine Williams say their 5-year-old son was placed in a special education program because he was black. They say his disability does not affect his ability to learn in a setting with other students without disabilities.

The lawsuit states that the district “disproportionately refers African-American children to special education programs without adequately addressing whether their disability and/or medical needs prevent the children from attending general education classes or prevents them from completing general education schoolwork.”

Katherine Williams says that when she took her concerns to the school, they sent police with a trespass notice that would keep her off district properties for one year. “They resisted her First Amendment rights because they were tired of her. They only do that to certain parents,” says Ernest Saadig Morris, the civil rights attorney hired by the family.

The Williams have decided to homeschool their son.