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[Pittsburgh, PA – April 11, 2024] – The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh (Urban League) and the Education Law Center-PA (ELC) have jointly sent a letter to the Highlands School District — following community concerns and discussions with alumni, parents, and students — identifying several pressing issues affecting students of color and students with disabilities within the Highlands School District. These issues include instances of reported racial discrimination and harassment, disproportionate disciplinary actions against students of color, and failure to provide adequate support to students with disabilities as outlined in their Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 Plans.

The Urban League and ELC have proposed an action plan aimed at fostering positive change and ensuring a supportive environment for all students within the Highlands School District.

Key components of the proposed action plan include the appointment of an independent monitor to oversee implementation of the action plan, revision of policies and practices on reporting and addressing racial harassment, discipline, special education, and dress code, as well as stakeholder engagement and comprehensive training for school staff.

“As a parent, I was disheartened to see firsthand the trauma, shame, and defeat suffered by students in a school district that is charged with the duty to educate, protect, empower, and prepare our students for a bright future. A key focus of the Urban League, both nationally and locally, is our ‘Three Ds,’ one of which is to Demand Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion everywhere, including the classroom. We are hopeful that, by working collaboratively with the Highlands School District, we can implement meaningful reforms that address systemic inequalities and promote equity for all students. We are deeply committed to fostering an environment where all students feel safe, supported, and valued,” said Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh President & CEO, Carlos T. Carter.

“Highlands School District has the legal responsibility to ensure that its schools are free from racial and disability discrimination,” said Hetal Dhagat, Senior Attorney with Education Law Center-PA. “The proposed action plan represents a significant step towards addressing longstanding issues of inequity within the Highlands School District and creating a more inclusive and supportive learning environment where all students can thrive. We stand ready to collaborate with the District and Highlands community to achieve these goals.”

The Urban League and the Education Law Center urge Highlands School District to commit to implementing the proposed action plan. Together, with the support of the community and district stakeholders, the plan aims to help bring about positive change and ensure the well-being and success of all students within the Highlands School District.

For media inquiries, please contact Jarrod Williams at chiefadmin@ulpgh.org/412-227-4150 and Hetal Dhagat at hdhagat@elc-pa.org/412-258-2117.

 

Ranked as one of the nation’s highest-performing affiliates for more than a decade by the National Urban League, the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh was founded in 1918 with the shared National Urban League mission of enabling African Americans to secure economic self-reliance, parity, and power and civil rights.

 

The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh focuses on serving African Americans and other marginalized communities, but no one is ever turned away, helping more than 20,000 individuals in Pittsburgh and the surrounding counties last year alone. As the largest comprehensive social service/civil rights organization in Southwestern Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Urban League helps others to help themselves through extra-curricular educational opportunities, health advocacy, housing counseling, parental education and support for early childhood and youth development, hunger prevention services, sustainable wage career preparation, and other programs that lead to improved ability to achieve economic empowerment and self-reliance. For more information, visit ulpgh.org or @ulpgh on Facebook and Instagram.

 

The Education Law Center is a non-profit, legal advocacy organization with offices in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia dedicated to ensuring that all children in Pennsylvania have access to a quality public education. Through legal representation, impact litigation, community engagement, and policy advocacy, ELC advances the rights of underserved children, including children living in poverty, children of color, children in the foster care and juvenile justice systems, children with disabilities, multilingual learners, LGBTQ+ students, and children experiencing homelessness. For more information, visit elc-pa.org or @edlawcenterpa on Twitter.