Q&A
Addressing learning disabilities and dyslexia in early education
2:09:15
ยท
139 sec
Council Member Dinowitz expresses concern about the DOE's focus on autism programs while learning disabilities and dyslexia remain significant issues. He questions how the system is addressing these needs, particularly in early education.
- DOE officials clarify that while autism is a significant focus, they haven't forgotten about other disability classifications
- They explain that the highest percentage of kindergartners leaving for non-public schools have autism, which is why they've focused on creating competitive programs for this group
- Council Member Dinowitz emphasizes the need for a system-wide approach to address learning disabilities and dyslexia, particularly in early education
- The discussion highlights the tension between addressing various special education needs and allocating limited resources effectively
Eric Dinowitz
2:09:15
It it was, like, such a shame that they came to my class not knowing how to read.
2:09:19
And so how as a system are we identifying the problem of kids with learning disabilities and saying we're gonna make heavy investments in this particular disability classification for this particular age group?
Christina Foti
2:09:32
Yeah.
2:09:33
So so while speech and language, and, learning disability, dyslexia are are I was naming the highest.
2:09:40
Yeah.
2:09:40
The the percentage wise, the highest is autism in terms of losing we're losing kindergartners to non public schools in for with a disability disability classification of autism, which is why, to John's point, we focused on opening programs in those districts, that were gonna be competitors, and it's worked.
2:10:00
Right?
2:10:00
We had more parents apply for those programs than we could.
2:10:04
When they didn't get in, they chose our our Carter options.
Rita Joseph
2:10:07
Mhmm.
Christina Foti
2:10:08
Right?
2:10:08
And so we have proof of concept.
2:10:11
We know that if we build these programs, parents will come.
2:10:15
Investments have been flowing in into other places.
2:10:18
Right?
2:10:18
For the past 10 years, we talked about the rising cost of due due process.
2:10:23
We've talked about, mandated funding for district 75.
2:10:28
Fair student funding helps, but it doesn't pay the the total amount for these programs.
Eric Dinowitz
2:10:33
So so, again, you have a program that works and or you say it works.
2:10:39
I would just think that if it works, if it's doing right by
Jumaane Williams
2:10:43
our
Eric Dinowitz
2:10:43
kids while saving money, while keeping, you know, keeping the funding in a in a robust public education system, I would think the administration would be interested in in investing in what works.
2:10:57
Investing is what what is morally right and what is fiscally right for our city, and it sounds like you're saying it without saying it that those investments are not being made.
2:11:09
I do I am interested in that data about the literacy for high schoolers.
2:11:14
This is no doubt a very complicated, issue that I'm sure I could talk about for hours, but, deputy chancellor, I know this is an issue you care deeply about, and you know that it's more than about caring about an issue.
2:11:24
It's about working towards an issue.
2:11:27
So, I I thank you for your work and look forward to collaborating more on the issue of educating our kids with disabilities.
2:11:33
Thank you.