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Upper Dublin to review discrimination claims

Upper Dublin school officials on Tuesday pledged a "thorough and comprehensive" review of allegations by parents that the district discriminates against black students.

Upper Dublin school officials on Tuesday pledged a "thorough and comprehensive" review of allegations by parents that the district discriminates against black students.

In a complaint filed Monday with the U.S. Department of Education and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, the Concerned African American Parents (CAAP) accused the district of giving black students a higher rate of out-of-school suspensions and disproportionately placing them in the lowest academic track. The parents say school administrators ignored their requests to eliminate the bottom track and integrate students into the higher level courses.

Superintendent Deborah S. Wheeler said Tuesday that eliminating the third track has been a "priority item," on which the board will vote at its December meeting. "Professional development, infrastructure and careful planning are needed to ensure the success of student transition, and teachers and administrator are equally committed to it," she said in a statement.

CAAP also maintains that black students, who comprise 7.3 percent of Upper Dublin's population, received 45 percent of the its out-of-school suspensions last year.

- Kathy Boccella