Big private school chain settles disabilities case

A chain of more than 180 private schools in 15 states and the District of Columbia has settled government accusations it turned away or refused to accommodate disabled children.

The Justice Department says Nobel Learning Communities, Inc., discriminated against children with autism, Down Syndrome, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and global developmental delays. The company which runs preschools and elementary and secondary schools.

Under the settlement, it agreed to adopt a new non-discrimination policy, scrap eligibility criteria that screened out the disabled and help accommodate disabled students. It will pay $215,000 to 13 children who complained.

The company operates in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Washington. Its names include Chesterbrook Academy, Merryhill School and Evergreen Academy.