Lissa Hannan – 10/16/08

This page was last updated on October 19, 2008.

Right to appropriate special education; Lissa Hannan; Beaver County Times; October 16, 2008.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“We know that every child deserves a free appropriate public education, but is it fitting for all?”

[RWC] I’m going where most people fear to tread. First, there is no such thing as “a free appropriate public education.” Second, I don’t believe taxpayer-funded, government-run education is a “right.” Nowhere is education mentioned in the U.S. Constitution, and though the PA Constitution says, “The General Assembly shall provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of public education to serve the needs of the Commonwealth,” it doesn’t mandate government-run schools or that they be funded by taxpayers.

“It appears that our public school systems must expose students to the highly academic and rigorous curriculum. While this is acceptable for most kids, it isn’t necessarily feasible for others who have various learning disabilities.

“Schools struggle to accommodate these special-needs children due to high ratios, and their employees might not have the specialized training and knowledge to assist these students.

“These kids are obligated to take algebra, foreign languages, biology/anatomy, etc., in seventh and eighth grades. When I asked if it was possible for the school to review mathematical deficiencies with my son, such as money and telling time, I was told, ‘We can’t go back to that. Today, people swipe cards anyhow.’”

[RWC] It’s been nearly 40 years since I’ve been in a public school, but back in the 1960s no one was “obligated to take algebra, foreign languages, biology/anatomy, etc.” regardless of grade.

“I was very appalled at such a statement. My son went through the motions, but didn’t retain much except for bad educational experiences.

“Today, he is in a school that is qualified to meet his needs. If it were up to our district, he would still be in its classrooms.

“For the first time in years, I see smiles on my son’s face when he talks about his new school and friends. As parents, we have to look at our children as individuals, help them achieve their dreams and realize we serve as our children’s greatest advocates.”

[RWC] Hallelujah! What most people don’t get is that our one size fits all public school system can’t accommodate everyone, even if a child doesn’t fall into the “special-needs” category. If we didn’t have taxpayer-funded, government-run schools forced upon us, Ms. Hannan could have selected the best school for her child from the beginning.