Max Masucci is a 6 year old boy with autism. In DC where he and his parents live, he has floated among 4 different public schools in hopes of finding one that will provide him with an adequate education. Athough Max is 6, his disorder prevents him from being able to say his own name- first or last- which his parents find disconcerting and it is their desire to find a school who will work to teach Max his own name. Unfortunately, the District of Columbia's public school system has been altogether uncooperative with the Masucci's requests for help in this matter. According to federal law, if a public school cannot provide adequate education to a child for whatever reason, they are required to pay for that child's private school tuition. The Masucci's filed for action on this law and were denied.
This story is disheartening. Max has escaped from school before under the teachers' watches & found himself in some pretty terrifying situations. The boy certainly deserves to learn his own name and he definitely deserves teachers who care enough about him to give him a quality education just like every other child in the DC public school system.
Tyra Harris, 5th period
ReplyDeleteThis is proof that our "laws" are not meant to protect and defend the people. There is no reason why Max should have been denied private school tuition funds from the government. He is the perfect candidate for it! I'd suggest the parents seek speech-language pathologist (my future profession) to help the child's inability to say his name. When I'm older, I hope I am able to help families like this.