NYC Special Ed Crisis: Thousands of Students Lack Essential Services

The United Federation of Teachers (UFT) has released a shocking survey revealing a significant crisis in New York City's special education system. The survey found that nearly 9,000 special education students are not receiving mandated services, and there are over 2,000 unfilled special education provider jobs across 474 schools surveyed.

A Broken System

UFT President Michael Mulgrew strongly criticized the Department of Education (DOE), stating, "Shame on them. They know what is going on." He highlighted the DOE's inability to address the staffing shortage, saying, "They didn't say they didn't have the money. They said we don't know how to pay them. We don't know how to figure out payroll. That's obscene."

Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos responded by stating a desire to collaborate with the UFT to address these critical needs.

Parents and Educators Speak Out

Parents, like Phillippa Bowden, PTA president at PS 169 and mother of a child with autism, are fighting for their children's access to services. Bowden stated, "We gotta be the advocate and we gotta fight for what's right and not give up on our kids not getting what they want. If they need these services, we gotta fight. It's very hard when they don't have enough people to do the work."

Reading specialist Stacey Dreher described the systemic issues faced by providers, including lack of benefits and inconsistent caseloads. She emphasized the need for reading specialists and speech therapists to be integrated into each school's team, not just provided upon parental demand.

The Path Forward

The UFT advocates for expedited hiring processes and improved compensation for special education providers to address the crisis. This includes providing benefits and manageable caseloads within individual schools.