Today’s episode explores how US schools ration special education services despite the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It highlights that a medical diagnosis alone does not guarantee an Individualised Education Program (IEP), as schools often use academic performance as a primary factor to determine eligibility, thus creating a "shield" that protects institutional resources rather than serving student needs. The author of the source article, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks—herself a Special Education teacher, asserts that this system leads to disparities in access based on factors like race, ethnicity, and parental education, and often results in “hollow IEPs” that provide minimal or inadequate support. Ultimately, Dr. Hoerricks argues that the IDEA’s language, intended to safeguard children, has been misinterpreted to limit access and places an unequal burden on parents to advocate for their children.
Here’s the link to the source article: https://open.substack.com/pub/autside/p/good-grades-no-help-how-schools-ration
Let me know what you think.
The AutSide is a reader-supported publication. To support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber.
