The Hidden Crisis in Special Education: Are We Failing Our Most Vulnerable Kids?
Let me tell you a story that might make you angry—and it should. I’ve taught kids with special needs on both sides of the Atlantic, and what I’ve seen will shock you. In the U.S., the system is far from perfect—there’s too much paperwork, too many meetings, and not enough money. But at least there’s a structure, a legal requirement to try to include every child, no matter how difficult.
But when I moved to the UK, I saw something worse: a system that quietly pushes out the kids who need help the most. I met a boy—let’s call him Jordan—who came to school every day already expecting to be punished, already believing he didn’t belong. He wasn’t born angry; the system made him that way. There was no updated data on his learning, no formal support, not even a reading program. Why? Because the psychologist assigned to the school was too busy to test him. Years went by. Nothing changed.
Meanwhile, teachers are undertrained, underpaid, and overwhelmed. Some aren’t even qualified. The few who care are told their efforts are “excessive.” I’ve seen staff threaten to send kids like Jordan to another school as punishment—before even trying real interventions. It’s no wonder these kids shut down or lash out.
In the U.S., I had to fight the bureaucracy, but at least I was fighting for something: a child’s right to be included. In the UK, I watched as kids were quietly moved out of sight, out of mind. Once they’re gone, nobody asks what happened. Nobody cares.
This isn’t just about two countries. It’s about what happens when we stop believing every child deserves a place. It’s about how systems shape not just kids, but the adults around them. If you think this can’t happen in your community, think again.
Ask yourself: Are we really doing enough for our most vulnerable children? Or are we just making them someone else’s problem? If you’ve seen this happen, speak up. If you’re angry, you should be. Because silence is what lets this cycle continue.
#SpecialEducation #InclusionCrisis #EducationReform #SpeakUp #SystemFailure #Education
