In response to derogatory public comments made by a local school official, I ghost-wrote the below op ed piece that was published in the Chicago Tribune.
I was appalled to hear Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates’ recent remarks comparing Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez to a special education student who cannot be suspended. This statement is deeply offensive and perpetuates damaging stereotypes about students with disabilities who are disproportionately suspended and excluded from school. Students with disabilities are legally entitled to, and rely on, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to make progress in the classroom both educationally and emotionally.
Every individual deserves respect, dignity, and the opportunity to succeed. Comments like those made by Ms. Davis Gates undermine these values and reinforces harmful prejudices about students with disabilities.
For decades, students with disabilities have faced barriers to equal education, from physical accessibility challenges to stigmatizing attitudes. The passage of the special education law, including the mandate for IEPs, brought hard fought legal protections and was a monumental step forward in ensuring that students with disabilities receive the tailored support they need to succeed in school and beyond. Yet, remarks that use students with disabilities as a punchline dismiss the critical importance of these legal rights and protections and their dramatic impact on a student’s ability to learn.
For 40 years, the organization I founded has worked to ensure the rights of people with disabilities are upheld from cradle to cane. We strive to ensure the laws that give students who receive special education services the extra supports they need are upheld. After graduation, when those laws are no longer supporting the youth, the Americans with Disabilities Act helps level the playing field and break down barriers to higher education, job training, and, ultimately, career performance. While these vital laws give protections to people with disabilities, students and employees must still meet certain criteria to benefit from them. It is not a “get out of jail free” card as Ms. Davis Gates implied.
Nor are these laws guaranteed to be followed. Equip for Equality attorneys have seen time and time again how students with IEPs are failed by schools and administrations that flagrantly disregard the laws. When our attorneys get involved and help student’s exercise their legal rights, we see them reengage and flourish once they are given the resources they need. For example, our attorneys represented a teenage student with mental illness who was not receiving appropriate behavioral and social-emotional supports in school despite her IEP stating she should have them. The school consistently disciplined her for behaviors that were clearly related to her disabilities rather than give her supports that would stop the behaviors. Despite her mother’s repeated attempts to work with the school, her daughter continued to struggle, and the school issued punishments instead of support.
We stepped in to represent the student at legally required school meetings and ensured her school provided the supports the she needed instead of continuing to punish her. With those supports in place, she was able to better regulate her behavior and get back on track. She graduated high school and enrolled in college to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. This is one of many students whom we worked with to ensure that they receive the services they need. These students are not given a free pass for their behavior – rather they are given the supports they need to learn and engage.
Ms. Davis Gates apologized for her remarks, but this incident is a stark reminder of the power of words, especially when spoken by those in leadership. As the head of the Chicago Teachers Union, Ms. Davis Gates holds significant influence over educators and the community as she is the voice of Chicago public school teachers. It is essential that leaders in her position set a standard for inclusion and respect of all students.
This incident is not just about one ill-considered comment. It highlights a broader need for increased awareness and sensitivity regarding disability rights and inclusion. We must ensure that all educators, administrators, and community leaders understand the challenges faced by students with disabilities and the vital importance of creating supportive, inclusive environments for all learners.
At Equip for Equality, we stand ready to partner with schools, unions, and community organizations to provide education and resources that promote inclusivity and respect. We believe in turning moments like this into opportunities for growth and dialogue. Let this be a call to action for all of us to do better by our students, particularly those who face additional challenges, and to uphold the dignity and humanity of every individual.
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President & CEO
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