U.S.’s Broken Promises Hurt Quality of Schools

Orange County public schools, which have the second-highest enrollment in the state, are being hijacked by the federal government at a cost in excess of $89 million annually. And the figure is increasing daily.

But we are not alone. Almost 6 million students statewide are losing more than $1 trillion annually to the same culprit, despite concerted efforts by local school boards and the Orange County Department of Education to stop the bleeding that began in 1975.

People with disabilities need and deserve an education at public expense. That principle was accepted and adopted by Congress when the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, now the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, passed almost 30 years ago.

Recognizing that educating disabled children ages 3 through 21 could be very expensive, Congress included the provision for the federal government to finance 40% of the cost. That generous commitment has never materialized; the high mark was 17%, and average funding has been closer to 11%.

So who makes up the $89-million shortfall in Orange County? The short answer: every public school student.

No one denies that children with special needs will be better served when they are educated. But Congress’ refusal to accept its responsibility is denying 90% of our students the privilege of smaller classes, the joys of art and music, field trips, Advanced Placement classes and other special experiences that make school years so memorable.

Orange County schools are good. Despite the economic climate and inadequate budgets, students, teachers, counselors and administrators are performing among the best anywhere, according to statewide and nationwide test results. Our communities responded to crucial building needs in the March election. We will have the classrooms; we must have the support.

We are committed to world-class education, but we cannot do that with broken promises. We need our elected representatives to call on their colleagues to stand and deliver, before it’s too late.

John F. Dean

Orange County superintendent of schools, emeritus