Columbia Schools Settled Disability Discrimination Lawsuit
A court approved settlements for two plaintiffs following allegations of improper student seclusion in 2026.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Special Education
On August 3, 2026, a court approved settlement agreements for Shawan Daniels and Laquesha Jackson regarding their 2020 lawsuit against Columbia Public Schools. The plaintiffs alleged the district engaged in disability discrimination and battery by using isolation rooms at the CORE facility.
Why it matters
The lawsuit highlighted concerns regarding the use of seclusion rooms for special education students, which the plaintiffs claimed violated the Missouri Human Rights Act and internal district policies. This legal resolution follows the district's decision to terminate its contract with the external provider involved in the facility operations.
The school district initiated a contract with Specialized Education Services Inc. in 2019 to manage the CORE facility where the alleged seclusion occurred. Following the legal action, the district has since discontinued this partnership.
The players
Columbia Public Schools
This is the primary public school district serving students and families in Columbia, Missouri.
Shawan Daniels
She is one of the two plaintiffs who filed the 2020 lawsuit against the district.
Laquesha Jackson
She is a co-plaintiff who joined the legal action regarding disability discrimination in 2020.
Specialized Education Services Inc.
This entity was a contracted service provider that operated the CORE facility for the district.
The details
Plaintiffs accused both the district and Specialized Education Services Inc. of confining special education students in small, padded rooms. Funds allocated from the finalized settlements are mandated to be held in restricted accounts or special needs trusts for the plaintiffs.
Timeline
The district began its contract with Specialized Education Services Inc. in 2019.
The lawsuit was filed against Columbia Public Schools in 2020.
Missouri law was updated in August 2021 to strictly limit seclusion in schools.
The court approved the settlements for Daniels and Jackson on August 3, 2026.
Culture Shift
The resolution of this case reflects a broader shift in educational policy and public scrutiny regarding the use of restrictive behavioral interventions in schools. The legal action follows the framework established by the Missouri Human Rights Act regarding protections for students with disabilities.
The termination of the contract with Specialized Education Services Inc. marks a change in how the district manages external special education services. Parents and residents may see continued changes in district policies regarding student safety and disciplinary protocols.
The takeaway
Schools must navigate complex legal requirements when managing special education facilities and student discipline. Families should be aware of their rights under state law if they believe district policies have compromised student safety.
Further reading
For more information on local support, visit the Special Education resources page.
