I read an article today that had some scary numbers. 35% of students identified with learning disabilities drop out of high school. That is twice the rate of non-disabled students. That's frightening enough. But the story goes on to state that a National Longitudinal Transition Study found that 62% of learning disabled students are unemployed one year after graduation.

62 percent.

Now I don't know about you, but I want my LD child to be employed or in college a year after high school graduation. Personally, I don't care if he's pushing carts at the Stop and Shop, as long as he's happy, getting out and trying to do his best to support himself.

Yes, of course, I'd like to think that my child will go on from high school, get a college degree, and become a fully functioning member of the American society. But, let's face it. Let's just ACCEPT it. Not all disabled children are able to do that. Now, I'm not talking about giving up on our kids or letting them coast through school or life. If a child is capable of more, push them to do more. Push them to do as much as they can, and them push them just a little more. But, at the same time, accept them for what they are and that there might be limits to them. Accept it and come to peace with it.

But, BUT, 62%? Now the study doesn't say what the children's learning differences are. I will have to assume that there was a wide variety. How can society possibly say that it's okay for 62% of a certain population to be left floundering? It's unacceptable. It's a drain on our tax money. It's a drain on the parents who have to help support them. It's a drain on our economy in general.

In my years in this district, I have heard numerous complaints about the cost of the special needs community on the school district. I'm sure that there are those who wish "those kids" would just go away and stop draining the money out of the community (because THAT is what's really wrong with our community. Riiiiiight.) Do the people who make these comments really think that it's the kids fault? That they are getting such high priced services and equipment for all those tax dollars we pay? That we are paying those teachers who work with the LD kids more than the teachers who work with non-disabled peers? Ask a parent of a child with a disability about what high priced gadgets and special services their child is getting. I bet you'll be surprised to find the answer is next to nothing, if anything.

At the same time, think of those children in 2 or 10 or 15 years when they are out of school, and sadly, because of the inability to get what they need in this district (hopefully change is coming!), they are now adults who can't read. Who can't write. Who can't add. Not because they lack the ability to learn, but because they've lacked a community who supports them. They lack the ability to get the programs that will work around their disability to help them learn. Some lack teachers or administrators who are willing to accept that these kids are THEIR responsibilities, not just the responsibility of the special ed or in-class support teachers.

Do we want to pay for these children now, or do we want to pay for them for the rest of their lives?

And that isn't even taking into account the fact that it's just the RIGHT THING TO DO.