The School System is Failing!
How the School System is Failing Children Who Need Support
Today, I witnessed something astonishing that underscored the challenges children with additional needs face in our school system. The experience left me both frustrated and deeply concerned about the quality of support our schools provide to these students, who depend on focused, understanding environments to succeed.
I arrived early in the morning, around 8:30 am, to support my child, Blake, during his evaluation. He and another student were in the garden, each with an aide assigned to them. And when I say aide I mean warn body—the school’s words not mine. By 8:45 am, the other student suddenly took off running across the garden, and Blake instinctively followed. The aides, rather than proactively guiding the children, trailed behind them. I asked how much longer I’d be waiting, and soon, I was directed to a classroom where I hoped Blake’s evaluation could begin.
Upon reaching the room, I noticed Blake on the upper-level yard, with his aide standing near the steps. Surprisingly, Blake was on the far side, behind a shed, with the other student. When I called out to him, he quickly came running over, holding a tennis racket. After handing it to the other student, the aides intervened, taking it away, and finally led us to the designated evaluation room.
As I attempted to guide Blake inside, the other student, who was clearly restless, tried to enter and even peered through the window, climbing on railings and repeatedly asking to come inside. Alongside him were two aides—Ms. Marie, Blake’s aide, and another individual. A third child soon joined them, accompanied by yet another aide, making it a scene of two students and three aides, none of whom seemed able to create a calm, structured environment.
Blake kept coming to the door, asking to see his classmate, while the other student continued trying to open the door, inviting Blake to come out. The lack of focused engagement from the aides became even more apparent when the other student removed his shoes. Not one aide stepped in to help. I finally took it upon myself to engage him in a simple game—a tactic I’ve shared with staff in the past to help Blake refocus. The student responded well and put his shoes back on. I then opened the door and, seeing the lack of structure and support, directed Blake to leave, recognizing this was far from an appropriate environment for his evaluation.
This incident highlights a much larger issue. How can we expect children, especially those who may have difficulty focusing, to perform well when their environment is chaotic and poorly managed? Evaluations, which are critical in understanding and addressing a child's needs, require an atmosphere where students can feel secure, focused, and supported. Unfortunately, that’s not what I observed today. I saw three aides struggling to connect and guide the students in a meaningful way. It was disheartening.
Our education system is failing these children by not providing the supportive, attentive environment they need to thrive. Schools often have the resources on paper, but when it comes to real-life application, there seems to be a gap in execution. It’s essential for staff to be trained not just in supervision, but in proactive engagement strategies that help children feel seen and supported. The current approach—chasing after students and attempting to maintain control rather than fostering connection and focus—does not serve the children or their futures.
As a parent, I can’t help but worry. If children like Blake, who depend on structure and understanding, can’t receive it during an evaluation, what does that say about their daily learning environment? Our schools need to prioritize training and effective support structures for aides and teachers alike. Every child deserves an education, and those who need a little extra help deserve professionals who can provide it.
Until we address these issues, we will continue to fall short for our children, leaving them in environments where they struggle to learn, feel connected, or find success.
#EnjoyYourSilly
From Momma Vix