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Philadelphia School District Parents Say State Failed To Probe School Issues

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Seven Philadelphia School District parents have alleged in a lawsuit that the Pennsylvania Department of Education violated its obligation to investigate allegations of curriculum deficiencies in the schools.

The parents say they have received little response from the state after they submitted more than 825 complaints during the last school year to the state Department of Education about alarming conditions in the schools.

The lawsuit says parents documented issues such as overcrowded classrooms, a lack of libraries and staff shortages within the troubled school district. Philadelphia schools opened Monday after the district announced $32 million in cuts last month to allow classes to start on time.

A message left with the Department of Education's spokesman was not immediately returned.

The lawsuit seeks to direct the state to investigate the complaints.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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