Secret pacts a problem for special ed

Okay, it's a small school district, but we're deluding ourselves if we think these practices aren't widespread.

I'm talking about confidentiality agreements. The Santa Monica, California, School District has been requiring that parents of children with disabilities promise to sign confidentiality agreements (translation: stay silent) in return for getting the educational services they feel their children deserve. Parents have criticized the policy as an effort to intimidate them into silence and put a lid on political organizing. District officials say they're just keeping costs down.

The controversy had been simmering for a while, then came to a head when the school board also required that its departing CFO sign a confidentiality agreement in return for a cash settlement.

Now the Santa Monica city council has weighed in, voting to withhold funding unless the school district changes its ways. Read the link here. And then tell me that this isn't happening elsewhere. I'll believe you. Really.