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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Emergency services, Aug. 24 ... DeBoer chosen as Republican nominee for Senate District 3 ... Remote access, changing winds create challenges in fighting Cleveland Ridge fire ... Emergency services, Aug. 24 ... DeBoer chosen as Republican nominee for Senate District 3 ... Remote access, changing winds create challenges in fighting Cleveland Ridge fire ... GIFTED AND DISABLED PROGRAM Complaint: Portland schools discriminated Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Aug. 22, 2016 at 6:42 PM By The Associated Press Posted Aug. 22, 2016 at 6:42 PM » Social News PORTLAND — Three families have filed a complaint against Portland Public Schools that says district officials unfairly denied their disabled children entry to a program for gifted students. According to the families, test results show that their children were otherwise qualified to attend the district's Access Academy program, The Oregonian reported. Two of the families obtained documents showing that officials annotated application forms with handwritten notes linking admission with the students' disabilities. On one of the forms, a student was recommended as having "potential" for admission to Access, but someone added "Not with current staffing." On another, someone noted that the student had "support needs." A lack of staffing would not excuse the district for violating the American Disabilities Act, which forbids eligibility criteria that screen out individuals with disabilities. State law requires school districts to provide talented and gifted services to qualified students. "I was thinking it was happening — never in wildest dreams did I think it would be as black and white," said Nicole Iroz-Elardo, a complainant whose son has Asperger's. "I was shocked. I never thought they would put it in writing." It's not unusual for qualified students to be rejected from Access, which has a waitlist and requires parents to present a compelling case for why the students would benefit from the program. But the parents' complaint argues that it's illegal to use a student's disability against them. The complaint says the district is using a "bait and switch" tactic by encouraging parents to detail students' behavioral issues, then using that information against the applicant. Portland Public Schools spokeswoman Courtney Westling said Friday the district cannot comment on the complaint until looking into it further. "We take this type of complaint very seriously," she wrote in an email. By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Aug. 22, 2016 at 6:42 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501