Thinking Differently about a Major Problem
Coming at an entrenched problem from several angles at once. Using the signature project model to improve educational outcomes for children. Supporting children in New York City practically, while also taking a strategic long-term view.
Education is the classic way out of poverty, but you can’t get an education if you are not in school. After talking to relevant parties in New York City including government, nonprofit agencies and our staff, DLA Piper designed a new signature pro bono project to support some of the 1.1 million children in New York City Public Schools. We decided to come at the problem from several angles.
Every year more than 15,000 public school children in New York City face long-term suspensions. Some are wrongly accused, while others face disproportionate punishment. Many have special needs. Few are properly represented. DLA Piper lawyers represent these students at disciplinary hearings, keeping many in classrooms and on track academically, while gaining valuable experience at public hearings - LISA this does not fit in with the context of what is being expressed. Please either expand or remove.
We produced a manual for parents of suspended children, taking them through their rights and the process of hearings and appeals. A new policy initiative is surveying more than 200 families and submitting a Freedom of Information Law request to the Department of Education. We are trying to paint a more accurate picture of the impact of suspensions on students and their families.
Some other children are not able to benefit from school at all.
Too often, students with disabilities are denied basic services that would enable them to succeed. We represent students who need special education services, helping them get the services they need.
This on-the-ground work is complemented by a more strategic approach. Signature projects – there are several now running in communities across the US from Baltimore to San Diego and Chicago to Virginia – allow our lawyers to dig deep into an issue and look beyond the immediate need to identify root causes and long-term solutions. www.dlapiperprobono.com
In New York City DLA Piper also acts as general counsel to more than 22 Head Start programmes, federally funded pre-school initiatives for young children in low-income families; with our partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers, we are providing holistic services to our nonprofit clients. Taken together, these multiple strands of our efforts in New York City are helping us make a real difference to the lives of children.