Closing the Special Ed Gap in Massachusetts

Education in Massachusetts is facing a big challenge. Some students, especially those from rich families, are getting more help for their special needs. This is leaving behind low-income and minority students. Experts say it's like a maze – wealthy families find shortcuts, while others get lost. One reason is that these families have money and lawyers to help. Another reason is that culture and language barriers make it hard for some parents to understand the system. To solve this, we need to invest in evaluations. This helps find students who need extra help early on. But who will do these evaluations? We need more special education teachers. They can guide students and families through the maze. Legal aid is also important. It helps families understand their rights. But how can we make sure everyone can access these resources? We need to simplify the system. That's the real challenge.