Mother Claims Responsive Classroom Model Inflicted Distress on Children

If you have a question or concern about special education law, school administration, federal standards, or the overall rights of a student, please feel free to call the expert education law attorneys at Maya Murphy, P.C. in Westport today at (203) 221-3100 .

In the case of Bell v. West Haven Board of Education, a mother sued a school on behalf of her minor children. The mother claimed that a new “responsive classroom” model intentionally inflicted emotion distress on her children. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED) allows an individual to recover for severe mental and/or emotional distress caused by an individual who intentionally or recklessly inflicted the distress by behaving in a way that was “extreme and outrageous.”

The focus of the mother’s complaint is an educational model known as the “Responsive Classroom.” This model is designed to foster more communication and cooperation among students, and between students and faculty in the primary education system. The system would mediate “discussions” between students that had a misunderstanding or argument. This program was intended to foster greater respect for peers within a diverse student body, as well as defuse disruptive situations. Allegedly, the result was just the opposite. According to the mother, the model fostered a chaotic and disruptive environment, and interrupted the structured atmosphere necessary for learning. The mother’s allegations are backed by the children’s various testimonies to disruptions and bullying that were allowed to continue in their “responsive classroom.”

The court granted summary judgment, a court decision in favor of one party over another, for the school. The court found that the children’s statement were inconsistent at best when compared to the mother’s allegations. There was evidence showing that the principle and school responded and acted on parent and teacher concerns. Most important, however, is the mother’s overall lack of support in her claim that the school acted intentionally or recklessly towards the injury of her children. There was no evidence indicating the children suffered any injury, and purely speculative accusations in regard to the principle and school’s conduct.

If you have a child with a disability and have questions about special education law, please contact Joseph C. Maya, Esq., at 203-221-3100, or at JMaya@mayalaw.com, to schedule a free consultation.

Source: Bell v. W. Haven Bd. Of Educ., 2005 Conn. Super. LEXIS 1800 (Conn. Super. Ct. July 19, 2005)