My Testimony to the U.S. Department of Education on December 12th, 2016
As Americans, we believe in a “government of the people, by the people, for the people”. We believe that government derives “their just powers from the consent of the governed”, as representatives of the people. As a member of our state government, the Texas State Department of Education derives their powers from the consent of the people of the State of Texas. I find it impossible to believe that the Texas Department of Education operates in such a manner when districts spend their tens of millions on new football stadiums and painfully little in comparison on special needs education.
I can’t believe that Texas represents the will of the people when it threatens its citizens with deportation if they speak up for their child’s rights. I refuse to believe that the Texas government represents the will of the people when districts defend locking children with special needs in broom closets to deter unwanted behavior.
When over 11% of the student population in Texas is represented by students with Autism, but only eight percent of students enrolled in special education, I do not trust that students with special needs are being adequately represented.
Parents are told to simply “wait it out” before students are diagnosed for eligibility. Then, if the student appears to be disruptive in any way, they are denied a free and appropriate public education by attrition. Students are repeatedly placed in detention, in-school suspension, or forced out to their homes through out-of-school suspension.
Parents are intimidated in ARD meetings to accept the smallest possible amount of support at the latest possible date. Eventually, parents become exhausted with the process and pull their kids out of the public education system. Those who chose to stay and fight are threatened by gossip, CPS, law enforcement, or lawsuits. If parents resist these, their silence is bought. These parents are forced into silence by gag orders or non-disparagement agreements.
Honestly, they don’t want the money. They want a decent education for their children, which they have already paid for with their taxes.
What I am asking from you tonight is to not assume that Texas is going to fix this problem themselves. If the Texas government can’t fix the foster care fiasco known as the Department of Family and Protective Services, they won’t fix Texas Education. Step in and investigate. Dig. Take decisive action. We are all counting on you to do this.
