Education | Law

Indian student discrimination settlement approved

Thursday, December 13, 2007

A federal judge has approved a settlement in a case that alleged discrimination against Indian students in South Dakota.

The American Civil Liberties Union sued on behalf of 10 students and their families. They said the Winner School District singled out Indian students for discipline and punishment.

According to the ACLU, Indian middle school students received 51 percent of in-school suspensions, 66 percent of out-of-school suspensions, 56 percent of all police referrals and 67 percent of all long-term suspensions in the 2001-02 school year.

At the high school, Indian students received 65 percent of out-of-school suspensions and 67 percent of police referrals. The high school doesn't use in-school suspensions.

The settlement requires the school district to change to its disciplinary policies, to hire a full-time ombudsperson to act as a liaison with Indian families and to make improvements in Indian education.

Get the Story:
Judge signs agreement in school lawsuit (AP 12/13)

Relevant Documents:
Antoine v. Winner School District | Kids at Risk | Press Release: Settlement Approved in Case Alleging School Discrimination Press Release: Native American Families and Winner School District Announce Settlement in Case Alleging Discrimination

Relevant Links:
Rosebud Sioux Tribe - ttp://www.rosebudsiouxtribe-nsn.gov