The One Question I Wish I Could Ask Miranda Green

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The mention of Miranda Green sends shivers down the spines of countless parents and educators. Chief among them are the parents of children with special needs, who rely on a robust public school system for their children’s education. Her views and lack of understanding are concerning. Parents of kids with different abilities are already engaged in a daily fight for their children’s educational rights. Any shift in funding means even less for children who are already not getting what they need.

There’s no greater anguish than witnessing your child’s pain, especially when you feel powerless to ease it. That’s our reality. Our son desperately needs assistance, and we’re struggling to secure it for him.

For over 18 months, we’ve been embroiled in a battle with our local school district regarding our son’s special education requirements. He’s a bright, courageous young man with a heart of gold, yet he’s facing the daunting challenges of high school—years that are tough even for those without additional hurdles. With diagnoses including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and Tourette’s, he’s been left to navigate a system that hasn’t met his needs. His IEP accommodations are routinely overlooked, communication between his regular education teachers and academic support team is virtually non-existent, and he’s not achieved any of his IEP goals.

His grades have plummeted from As and Bs in middle school to Ds, all while receiving daily academic support. He has faced bullying, social isolation, and his emotional health has taken a nosedive. Recently, I learned that he was spending his lunch periods in the bathroom. When I asked him why, my heart sank. He replied, “Well, when I was sitting down at tables with people they were getting up and leaving. So, I would just rather be in there by myself.”

Despite this heartbreaking situation, he gets up and goes to school each day without complaint. I watch from the window as he walks to the bus stop, head down, headphones on, hood up. Tears fill my eyes as I send my beautiful boy off to confront another day of challenges and feelings of inadequacy.

I recently crafted an 18-page document detailing each time his IEP has been disregarded or his rights violated. I’ve met with his entire school team over ten times, shared my concerns with the principal and the head of special education, and I email staff regularly to ensure they’re fulfilling their obligations. Yet, nothing has changed. We’ve even requested that he be transferred to a private special needs school or a town with a better program, only to be told no.

Despite his severe depression and social isolation, his barely passing grades, and the countless ways the school has violated his rights, we continue to be denied. Even after bringing in legal counsel and appealing to higher administration, we still hear a resounding no. At a recent IEP meeting, the chair told me, “The bottom line is that we are meeting his needs. He comes to school each day and is not failing out, and that is all we are required to do.” We’re stuck in a system that refuses to provide what our son needs, and we fear for his well-being.

When others hear our story, they all respond similarly: “They can’t do that!” “Your son has rights!” “Fight harder!” or “Why don’t you send him somewhere else?” My answer is always the same: “Where exactly would that be?” In a private school, my son’s rights would be even less protected. Private institutions often lack adequate resources for special education, and let’s be honest, a child with his challenges likely wouldn’t even get accepted.

Charter schools are just as unprepared to cater to students with special needs. Even though they’re technically required to adhere to educational laws, many families have stories to share that paint a different picture.

We’ve lived in our town for over 13 years, with three other children who are happy and settled here. Ironically, our community is known for being one of the more accommodating districts for kids with special needs. Moving might jeopardize the happiness of our other children without guaranteeing improvement for our oldest son.

Special needs private schools charge families upwards of $70,000 per year, offer little financial aid, and usually won’t even consider inquiries unless they come through your town. I doubt that the voucher options proposed by our new Secretary of Education will be of any help. It’s like thinking you can afford a luxury car with a mere 10% discount!

Our goal has never been for our child to attend a private special needs school. We believe in public education and value its diversity, dedicated teachers, and acceptance of children from all walks of life. However, public schools are under immense pressure to provide adequate special education services to an increasing population. Teachers often lack the time or flexibility to support students as they’d like, and budget cuts hinder the development of new programs to cater to these children.

The outcome is that our children are left with insufficient support and no alternatives. We’re now preparing to take legal action. The toll of this entire ordeal on our family is immeasurable. Soon, we’ll face lawyer fees, increased stress, and a child who suffers a little more each day, believing in himself a little less.

Miranda Green’s appointment as Secretary of Education comes at a particularly inopportune moment for families like ours. She seems oblivious to the realities of a child’s daily life in special education. Her focus on educational choices overlooks the fact that those who need the most support often have the fewest options.

How will a voucher help my son when there’s nowhere else for him to go? What good is it if it takes away funding from the only school that can serve him? We cannot expect already struggling schools to do their jobs for vulnerable students when funding is diverted elsewhere. So, Miranda Green, please tell me the question that keeps me and countless other parents awake at night: What choices will my child have?

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Summary

The article shares a parent’s emotional struggle in advocating for their son with special needs within a flawed educational system. Despite numerous attempts to secure proper support and resources, the family faces significant challenges, including funding cuts and bureaucratic red tape. The parent’s frustration and heartbreak highlight the urgent need for better solutions in public education, particularly for children with special needs.