HARTFORD, Conn. — Groups were talking about special education at the state capitol Wednesday, as an investigation into the Connecticut State Department of Education, or CSDE, accused leaders of grossly underserving students and putting them at risk.
“Belonging cannot just be words, it has to match action,” said Keysha Evans, Connecticut’s Paraeducator of the Year. “A sense of belonging doesn’t just happen overnight.”
The state said there are about 92,000 children in Connecticut identified as those with special education needs.
“We’re gathered here today in a call to action in supporting students with disabilities,” State Director of Special Education Bryan Klimkiewicz said.
Wednesday’s summit featured state officials, national experts and a student panel, aiming to check in and share perspectives on the status of special education in Connecticut.
“Some people may not want to go the extra mile and that shouldn’t be allowed to happen,” said Phillip Shenkman, a student and advocate with the state Education Resource Center. “It’s important to figure out a way that everyone can be seen. If you get comfortable with being uncomfortable, that is something that will really help everyone.”
This summit took place as state agencies and federal authorities investigate the CSDE for allegedly systemically failing these students.
The multi-year investigation into the department’s operations and High Road Schools, private special education programs, found shortcomings in staffing, school district monitoring and lack of oversight.
In September, the department said in a statement, “There is neither a legal nor factual basis for the OSEP complaint that DRCT/OCA has filed against the CSDE. On March 12, 2024, the CSDE provided DRCT/OCA with a detailed response to that report, raising serious concerns about both its methodology and legal assertions. Despite the CSDE’s concerns regarding the DRCT/OCA report, we engaged in follow-up supervisory and monitoring activities and conducted a targeted, onsite off-cycle standards review of High Road Schools. These reviews further called into question the reliability and accuracy of DRCT/OCA’s claims regarding, among other things, staffing credentials and hiring practices within the High Road Schools.”
According to a congressional report, Connecticut sends 6.3% of students with disabilities, more than any other state, out of their local district.
The most recent development is that the CSDE is now investigating Connecticut’s technical schools, after an interim superintendent was accused of denying admissions of special education students.
Special education students are required to be educated in the “least restrictive environment” possible, meaning attending classes with non-disabled peers when possible.
Those at Wednesday’s summit said advocacy is important, and there needs to be support and solutions.
“Just because someone is in special education doesn’t mean they aren’t capable,” student and advocate Lily Watkins said. “Everyone learns in different ways.”
“We’re not going to resolve this problem until the educators get the resources, the money, let’s face it, that they need in order to be able to do their job,” added John Flanders, president of Special Education Equity For Kids, or SEEK.
These conversations are expected to continue and many will stay focused at the state capitol.
There was a big call Wednesday afternoon for more funding, state guidance and making education a priority. The upcoming legislative session starts in January.
Emma Wulfhorst is a political reporter for FOX61 News. She can be reached at ewulfhorst@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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