D.W. v. New York City Department Of Education
- Edgardo Ramos
- 1:23-cv-03179
- U.S. District Court · Southern District of New York
- 2
In D.W. v. New York City Department of Education, Judge Ramos granted defendants’ request to seal exhibits containing minor students’ identifying, medical, and education information.
The minor student plaintiffs whose identifying, medical, disability, and education information appears in the proposed exhibits, as well as public access to those exhibits.
What happened
D.W. v. New York City Department of Education concerns a request by the defendants to seal exhibits in a case involving educational services for minor students under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
The defendants asked to seal Exhibits A through C to a declaration supporting their motion to dismiss. They said the exhibits could reveal the plaintiffs’ identities and confidential medical, disability, education, and educational-progress information. The plaintiffs consented to sealing.
Judge Edgardo Ramos granted the motion to submit the exhibits under seal. This order addressed confidentiality and public access to the exhibits; it did not decide the underlying claims or the motion to dismiss.
The detailed version
- D.W. v. New York City Department Of Education · No. 1:23-cv-03179
- Edgardo Ramos
- Feb. 24, 2025
Background
The case involves educational services provided to minor students and is brought under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The defendants—the New York City Department of Education and David C. Banks in his official capacity—sought permission to file certain exhibits under seal in support of their motion to dismiss.
Sealing request
The defendants asked to seal Exhibits A through C to the February 21, 2025 Declaration of Eric B. Hiatt. They stated that publicly filing the exhibits could allow the public to identify the named plaintiffs and learn confidential information about their medical history, disabilities, educational records, and educational progress and history. The request cited privacy protections under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. The defendants also stated that the plaintiffs consented to sealing.
Ruling
Judge Edgardo Ramos granted the motion to submit the exhibits under seal. The opinion does not describe the court’s decision on the underlying claims or on the defendants’ motion to dismiss.
Read the full 2-page opinion on CourtListener, the free public archive maintained by the Free Law Project.