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Special education in NYC public schools is ‘broken,’ teachers union says
By
Jessica Gould
Published Nov 21, 2024
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UFT
By
Jessica Gould
Published Nov 21, 2024
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A dire staffing shortage is causing a special education crisis in New York City public schools, the teachers union said, leaving thousands of kids without their legally mandated services.
Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers, said a longstanding shortage of paraprofessionals, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists and counselors appears to be particularly bad this year. The union released a survey of schools that found nearly 9,000 special education students aren’t receiving one or more of their services.
“Throughout the beginning of this school year we noticed a big problem with special education services,” Mulgrew said. “We’ve been in constant contact with the department of education over these services. Their response has been incompetent to say the least.”
In a press release, the union called the city’s special education system “broken.”
Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos said in a statement that the education department is working to address the shortage. She said the department recently hired “a compliance liaison” to help schools match students with providers. “I look forward to collaborating with President Mulgrew and his team at UFT to fill these critical school needs,” she said.
The survey found that the shortage was particularly dire in District 75 schools, which serve students with the most severe disabilities. Bronx mom Yanet Vasquez said the staffing problems are preventing her 14-year-old son, Joel, from getting to school at all. Joel, who has autism and is nonverbal and diabetic, is supposed to be accompanied on the school bus by a paraprofessional.
But the city has not been able to assign him a paraprofessional for the bus ride for three months.
“The para is required to be with him. Because he doesn’t have one, the bus doesn’t pick him up,” she said. So Vasquez said Joel has had to stay home from school and miss academics, speech therapy, occupational therapy and counseling. She said he has become more aggressive since he’s been stuck at home.
“Honestly, I feel so sad that one of the biggest things in life is education and my son can’t have it,” she said.
There are 1,558 paraprofessional vacancies in the 474 surveyed schools, according to the teachers union.
“It’s shocking the number of cases I have escalated this year that involve the need for a para in school or on a bus,” said Maggie Moroff, special education policy coordinator with Advocates for Children of New York.
Paraprofessionals are represented by the teachers union. They’re assigned to students based on academic, behavioral or health needs and often work one-on-one with kids. They typically make between $30,000 to $50,000 annually.
Mulgrew said the city must create a stronger pipeline of candidates to fill those roles, while offering more pay to recruit and retain the full range of special education providers.
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new york city
education
Jessica Gould
Jessica is the education reporter for WNYC and Gothamist. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Jessica reported on the shutdown and reopening of the nation’s largest school system, highlighting the unprecedented impacts on learning, health and mental health for students, staff and families. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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