Pre-K for All has been a constant struggle for children with special needs. Federal law requires the education department to provide a special class seat to every student who needs one for free, regardless of how high the demand is. However, for many New York students, that isn’t happening.
Typically, students with learning disabilities are assigned to smaller classrooms with one teacher and two assistants in order for them to get the assistance they need. They are also provided multiple support services such as such as physical, occupational, speech, counseling, and more. However, according to the data by the Education Department, more than 1,110 children were waiting for a seat and over 40% of preschool students never received a single session of a required support service in their special education plans.
This isn’t anything new though, children with disabilities have been constantly overlooked. Despite making up 20% of the overall public school system, the former mayor Bill de Blasio added tens of thousands of general education seats yet he was criticized for the lack of suitable seats for children with disabilities.
The number of children waiting for seats only increases as the school year goes on due to students in preschools getting identified as having learning disabilities. But for now, children with disabilities have no choice but to struggle on their own, just hoping for a day when they too will finally be seen.
