The mention of Betsy DeVos often triggers anxiety and frustration among parents and educators, particularly those caring for children with special needs who rely heavily on a robust public education system. Her lack of understanding and the policies she supports are deeply concerning. For families with children who have different abilities, each day is a struggle for educational rights. Any funding cuts threaten to diminish the already insufficient support these children receive.
As a mother of a remarkable son navigating the complexities of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and Tourette’s, I have felt the heartache of watching him struggle without the help he desperately needs. Over the past 18 months, we have been engaged in an exhausting fight with our local school district to secure appropriate special education services for him. Despite being a bright, courageous young man, he has faced significant challenges in high school, where his educational needs have gone unaddressed. His Individualized Education Program (IEP) accommodations have been overlooked, leading to a decline in his grades from As and Bs in middle school to Ds now, all while he was supposed to be receiving daily academic support.
The emotional toll has been immense; he has faced bullying and has become increasingly isolated, spending lunch periods in the bathroom rather than face peers who have turned their backs on him. Each morning, I watch him leave for school with his head down, headphones on, and heart heavy. It breaks my heart to see my son approach each day filled with struggles and feelings of inadequacy.
I’ve documented the numerous times his IEP was ignored in an 18-page report to the school administration and have met with his entire educational team more than ten times. Despite my persistent efforts and communication with school officials, nothing has improved. We have sought alternative options, such as a private school specializing in special needs education, only to be told no. Even with support from mental health professionals advocating for his transfer, we continue to face barriers.
At a recent IEP meeting, I was met with a dismissive attitude, where I was told, “The bottom line is that we are meeting his needs. He comes to school each day and is not failing out—this is all we are required to do.” We are caught in a system that fails to recognize that merely attending school is not enough for our son to thrive.
People often express disbelief upon hearing our story: “They can’t do that! Your son has rights! Fight harder!” Yet, I often respond with frustration, asking, “Where can we go?” Private schools, often touted as alternatives, lack the necessary resources for special education and operate under different rules, making them less accessible for children like mine.
After living in our town for over 13 years, we have three other children who have built their lives here. Although our town is viewed as accommodating for special needs, we are left wondering if relocating would jeopardize our other children’s happiness without guaranteeing better outcomes for our eldest son.
Unfortunately, many private special needs institutions charge exorbitant fees, often exceeding $70,000 a year, and few offer financial aid. Betsy DeVos’s proposed vouchers for private education will not alleviate our situation; they will only further drain public school funding without providing viable alternatives for students like my son.
Our commitment to public education stems from a belief in its ability to unite diverse families and provide equitable access to learning. We appreciate the dedicated teachers striving to support every student, yet the current system is stretched thin. Budget cuts severely limit the creation of necessary programs that could meet the growing demands of special education.
Consequently, we find ourselves on a path toward legal action, a situation that adds immense strain to our family. The appointment of Betsy DeVos as secretary of education could not have come at a more challenging time. Her lack of insight into the daily realities faced by children in special education only deepens my concern.
She advocates for educational choices, yet for those who need the most support, options are limited. What good is a voucher when there are no suitable schools available? My son’s well-being depends on a fully funded public school system that can adequately serve his needs.
So, Betsy DeVos, I implore you to answer the question that haunts many parents like me: What choices will my child truly have?
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Summary:
Betsy DeVos’s appointment as Secretary of Education raises significant concerns for parents of children with special needs. The struggles faced by families seeking adequate special education support illustrate the dire consequences of funding cuts and lack of resources. As parents fight for their children’s rights, they often find themselves trapped in a system that fails to meet their needs. This article urges DeVos to recognize the limited choices available for these vulnerable children and advocates for a better-funding approach to public education.