The Americans with Disabilities Act has long required that states provide appropriate services for students with disabling conditions of any kind. It is unfortunate that it is still necessary for parents and child/education advocates to file expensive and time-consuming federal lawsuits to obtain services for deserving students.

Childhood is too short, and time is of the essence if we want to educate them appropriately. In fact, every student in the land should be eligible for whatever services are necessary in order not to be “left behind.”

The assumption underlying attempts to limit special education services in particular is that “those children” are a burden on the system, costing too much to educate and offering little promise of future return.

This reasoning is faulty, since many students receiving special education services are or will be part of the workforce, contributing payroll and other taxes, as well as other benefits to society. But they can do so only if they receive appropriate services and support. Since 1974, special education has given hope and help to many who were formerly relegated to institutions or worse. We must continue to give them every aid to participate in meaningful ways in mainstream society.

Special education rules, and education issues in general, should be of concern to everyone, no matter what side of the argument people take. It is our future at stake, as a nation, and as a people.

A. Pat Malcolm, Lisbon