To the Editor:
I’d like to thank Dr. Lechtenberg for his column in support of DEI, special ed, and sex education as discussed at a recent Town Meeting. I hope all Courier readers absorb and share his detailed and thoughtful words.
I just wanted to address one of his points. I’m one of the parents who spoke about her son’s experience as a special ed student.
It’s actually not optional for the schools to provide special education to students up to the age of 22, and students cannot opt in or out. It’s the law. Here’s an excerpt of a description of the statute, from a letter sent by the state to superintendents of schools and directors of special education:
“In accordance with the regulations of the State Board of Education, each local and regional board of education shall: (1) Provide special education for school-age children requiring special education who are described in subparagraph (A) of subdivision (5) of section 10-76a. The obligation of the school district under this subsection shall terminate when such child is graduated from high school or at the end of the school year during which such child reaches age twenty-two, whichever occurs first.”
Here is a link to that letter, which contains pertinent details and links:
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SDE/Special-Education/CSDE-Memo_PA-23-137.pdf
Again, I would like to thank Dr. Lechtenberg for taking the time to write this and his many other columns, all of which I find interesting and educational. Easton is fortunate to have you as a resource, and as a neighbor.
Debbi Barer
Easton
