Special Education: No Such Thing As A Free Public Education For Kids With Learning Disabilities.
The true cost of teaching many of America’s children is carried by families and mothers.
FAPE refers to a “Free and Appropriate Public Education,” and supposedly all American children are legally entitled to one. Unfortunately, it’s a lie. Kids with learning disabilities, who have a normal or higher IQ and can learn, don’t get the services they deserve from school districts. So the kids either get passed forward without learning, and leave school unprepared for the work force, or their parents pay for the education that should be free. And they pay a lot.
These estimates come from families around the United States.
“J”* estimates over $235,000 covering evaluations, tutoring, advocates and attorney fees, along with 3 years of specialty school tuition. In addition, she changed careers and retrained to work with special education parents.
Sara Mattia, founder of My Learning Farm, parent, tutor, and advocate, estimates more than $150,000 out of pocket to educate her 2 neuro-atypical learners. Plus she had the cost of career retaining so she could teach her own kids.
“NL” parent, estimates $50,000 to get their dyslexic child reading intervention that worked. She’s still expecting 2 more years of tutoring costs that the school district doesn’t provide. Oh, and she quit her job to help her student too. So, there’s a big hunk of lost income, retirement, and social security there.
“LS”, educator and parent, estimates $6,000 for dyslexia intervention for child one, several thousand so far for child two, $80,000 for private schooling for 2 kids x 3 years, lost income from part-time only work for 7 years. Like many she needs to constantly support their education or homeschool them herself. She estimates a loss of $60,000 per year x 7 yrs = $420,000. Despite two professionals in the home, they have been unable to purchase a house.
Kathleen Cawley, parent, estimates $75,000, so far for private schooling, private assessments and tutoring. Her kids are 14-years-old and may still need supports. She’s had a significant loss of income from leaving her professional job to support her kids and battle with school districts. This of course leads to loss of retirement and social security benefits.
These women represent a few of the many women whose families and personal finances have been devastated by the failure of our public school system to provide the “free” public education required by law. And once again, it is the unpaid labor of women in America which silently props up a failing system.
Every mother I spoke to expressed deep frustration and concern for the children of families who can’t afford to get their child the help they need. Those young adults go out into the world without the basic skills to even apply for a job. That’s your “school to prison pipeline.” Such a loss. Such an unnecessary and expensive loss.
*Many families feel the need for confidentiality regarding their school spending. Initials have been changed to protect a family’s privacy or fears of retribution. Locations are from around the country.
Coming soon: Personal Stories from Professionals in Education
I’m working on a book about special education and seeking families, teachers, and school professionals with stories to tell. If you’ve been through this struggle, I’d love to hear from you. Everything will, of course, be confidential. You can reach me at: 241kcawley@gmail.com
Please “share, follow, and like my posts.” Let’s get the word out! Substack: Kathleen Cawley for Navigating Modern Parenthood