Betsy DeVos has become a polarizing figure, especially among parents and educators concerned about the future of our public school system. The fears are particularly pronounced for those of us raising children with special needs, who rely heavily on a robust public education system to secure their children’s right to proper education. With her proposals, many of us feel that the already limited resources available for our children could dwindle even further.
As a parent of a child who faces numerous challenges, the struggle to provide him with the support he deserves is a daily battle. Our son, a kind-hearted and courageous young man, is navigating high school while managing autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and Tourette’s syndrome. For over a year and a half, we’ve been grappling with a local school system that has failed to meet his educational needs. His Individualized Education Program (IEP) has not been followed, and his academic performance has plummeted from As and Bs to Ds, despite the supposed support he receives daily.
Witnessing your child suffer is a heart-wrenching experience. Recently, I learned that he has taken to hiding in the bathroom during lunch, choosing solitude over the pain of being ignored by his peers. Each day, I send him off to school with a heavy heart, knowing he faces yet another round of bullying and isolation.
I have documented the school’s repeated failures in an 18-page report and have met with the educational team countless times. Despite my persistent efforts, there has been no improvement. We have even sought the possibility of transferring him to a private school with better resources, only to be met with refusal. The heartbreaking reality is that even with professional backing from his psychiatrist and psychologist, we are stuck in a system that seems unwilling to adapt or change.
When others hear our story, they often express disbelief or anger. They urge me to fight harder or suggest alternative schools. However, the question remains: where would we go? Private institutions typically lack the necessary resources and, more importantly, often don’t accept children like my son. Charter schools claim to serve all students but frequently fall short when it comes to special needs.
We have lived in our community for over a decade, and our other children thrive here. Moving could jeopardize their happiness without guaranteeing a better situation for our oldest. Many private special needs schools charge exorbitant fees that are out of reach for most families. The voucher systems being proposed by the current administration seem more like a hollow promise than a genuine solution, offering little assurance that our children would find the support they need.
Public education is the backbone of our society, and it should be a place where every child, regardless of their background or abilities, can thrive. Unfortunately, public schools are overwhelmed and underfunded. The current climate of budget cuts and diminishing resources means that our children are left without adequate support.
As we prepare for legal action, the emotional toll this situation has taken on our family is immense. The stress of impending legal battles and the constant worry about our son’s well-being weigh heavily on us. Betsy DeVos’s appointment as Secretary of Education comes at a precarious time for families like ours. It is evident she lacks an understanding of the daily struggles faced by children in special education and the laws meant to protect their rights.
While she emphasizes educational choices, the reality is that children who need the most assistance often have the fewest options. The idea that vouchers could improve our situation is misleading when there are no alternative schools equipped to meet my son’s needs.
So I ask Betsy DeVos, what choices will children like my son truly have? How can we expect schools already stretched thin to provide adequate support when funds are diverted elsewhere?
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In summary, the challenges faced by families with children who have special needs are daunting, and the current educational landscape is fraught with uncertainty. The push for vouchers and private school options fails to address the core issues: the need for a well-funded public school system that values inclusivity and support for all students.