Dual enrollment, early college, year 13, free community college… but not for all
Despite state law, students with disabilities are left out
By Allison Doherty
As we all know, BPS needs to do better with special education in general. I am writing this article to bring one item to the community’s attention.
Two years ago, Governor Baker signed into law that all state colleges and universities need to open their doors to people with disabilities, regardless if they have graduated from high school. (More about the bill here.)
Currently, there are colleges and universities that provide services through the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Initiative (MAICEI).
Why isn’t the state paying for our public school students with disabilities to go to MAICEI?
BPS has pushed for many robust early college programs at BPS high schools — which is great. However, BPS will only fund two spots for our students with disabilities to attend the MAICEI program.
I was told if my students at Fenway High School want to attend UMass-Boston, Fenway needs to come up with the $1200 per seat for each semester. This is unfair and discriminatory. My students with disabilities should be funded with the same state money as early college for students without disabilities. There is no extra cost to UMass-Boston.
The MAICEI program requires an education coach to work with the students. The ed coach is a paraprofessional who assists our students while they are on the college campus. There is only one ed coach hired in BPS.
This program can make a huge difference in the life of a student with disabilities. That’s good for all of us.
The state should pay the cost of college for my students the same way it funds the cost for other students, while the BPS should fund additional ed coach positions.
This is a glaring inequity. I am pleading for our state government and the City of Boston to correct this injustice.
Allison Doherty teaches students with disabilities at Fenway High School.
