Defending Special Education

It was outrageous and prejudicial for The Times in the story “Parents Tell School to Improve Security” (March 27) to make reference to the fact that the suspect was a former special education student at Chatsworth High School.

This particular story put a terrible stigma on all children with exceptional needs. The article said that “students are placed in special education classes when they are identified as having learning disabilities or emotional problems.” The writers obviously did not do their homework.

The range of special education encompasses many differences, none of which predisposes a person to commit a crime.

In the general population, there are many individuals walking around, students and adults, with emotional problems. Your story appears to correlate a crime of this nature with special education.

I must take exception with their labeling.

JAN MELLMAN

Northridge