Delineating the Struggles Special Education Students and Parents Face in Puerto Rico

Abstract

In this research, the question of the unique education system's lack of resources and how it directly affects students and parents looks to be answered. This investigation discusses the system's many flaws, including the shortage of teachers, assistants, and therapists. The lack of training for teachers, the poor maintenance in schools, the violation of the architectural laws, and how poor salaries resulted in many protests, directly affecting students. The Rosa Lydia Velez trial had a huge impact; it helped people notice the many flaws in the system and raise their courage to speak up against the justice system. Another one of the main problems is the constant misdiagnosing of children due to untrained professionals and incorrect examinations. This problem was when students got retested, and almost all had a misdiagnosis. The system is demonstrating little to no worry for their students, including when it comes to school maintenance, with over 247 in critical need of repairs. The poor salary affected drivers, leaving students without transportation, assistants both T1 and T2 had to have several jobs to support themselves financially, and many teachers quit their jobs due to poor administrative support. The case that highly impacted the investigation was the letter for the government from Ivelisse Otero that demonstrated how schools are breaking the protocol, not focusing on the student's well-being, and not following the confidentiality rules affecting teachers and students. This investigation aims to shed light on the many flaws and have a call to action to find a solution.