School is Failing Students With Disabilities
Despite IDEA's intent to ensure free appropriate public education for students with disabilities, many schools fail them through low expectations, inadequate services, and exclusionary discipline policies, leaving families to fight for their rights.
Failing Students with Disabilities: A Broken System 🤕
Sadly, many American schools treat students with disabilities as afterthoughts. They face low expectations, are placed in inappropriate classes, or even pushed out of special education with no easy way back in. Families struggle to get the services their children need, teachers work with limited resources, and federal investigations uncover widespread mismanagement and even fraud in a system designed to help 1 in 6 American children with disabilities.
Broken Promises 💔
Despite the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which guarantees a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to students with disabilities, many schools continue to fail them. They cut corners to avoid providing legally required services and ignore research showing the benefits of structured instruction alongside peers.
Discipline and Misconduct 😠
A USA TODAY investigation found that schools are increasingly using harsh discipline policies, relying on broad and subjective reasons to suspend students. These behaviors are often related to disabilities like autism, ADHD, and anxiety/depression.
Shared Struggles 🫂
The investigation also revealed countless stories from parents, advocates, and experts across the country, highlighting the struggles and triumphs of students with disabilities.
Note on Language 📝
To avoid upsetting readers with sensory sensitivities, we've used broader terms like "challenged" or "vulnerable student" instead of specific disability labels.