Defending Special Needs Education

Dynamic Community Charter School broke down barriers to special needs education in Wake County during the 2014-15 academic year. DCCS taught students with a wide range of intellectual and developmental disorders in grades 6-12. 

For many of these students, this was the first time they attended a school where they were not bullied because they were so different from their “peers”; moreover, many of these students reported having friends at school for the first time in their lives.

DCCS students were learning and growing in academics, social skills, and emotional maturity. Parents were shocked when the State Board of Education voted to revoke the school’s charter based on claims made by the Charter School Advisory Board. At no time, did the CSAB interview parents about their child’s school despite several invitations to do so. The CSAB did not listen to the students who reported their successes at DCCS. Furthermore, DCCS was not properly funded according to the students’ Individual Educational Plans proving that the State Board of Education does not acknowledge the need for proper interventions and accommodations needed for special needs students. Additionally, DCCS was not given proper notice of complaints made by the CSAB and was never given proper time to address the issues once they were revealed..

The State Board of Education does not allow for any nuance in special needs education. DCCS Parents’ Association President, Sara Brady, was told by one North Carolina Department of Public Instruction employee that ALL of the DCCS students should be treated as if they needed a one-on-one supervision regardless of the child’s diagnosis. When Sara pointed out that some of the students were college bound, the employee stated that the NCDPI workers were able to tell "by looking" at the students what their level of disability needs for support. This is one of many examples of discrimination made by state employees towards this very vulnerable population of students.  

DCCS will not be opening this school year, and students who were thriving at DCCS are now facing another year of special education in the same public school system that was failing to meet their needs in the first place. In previous years of public school education, students were kicked out of class, sent home, or suspended because of their disability. Becuase special needs children tend to present more financial challenges for their parents, the majority of our families cannot afford private school tuition. The State Board is forcing children back into public schools were they were verbally and physically assaulted by their "peers" because they are an easy target. A third of the DCCS students came into our school with failing grades from their previous public school because the mainstream education does not work for them. Students were being left behind academically, socially, and emotionally. As parents and guardians of these precious children, we cannot let the State Board tell us that they know what is best for our kids.

We are pursuing legal action against the State Board of Education, and we want to retain The Gahagan Law firm to help with our cause. Parents and guardians of DCCS, along with community supporters, raised $150,000 last year to keep their school open, and we are asking the community to support us once again. We are in need of $2,500 to fund the retainer. Any money raised over that amount will be used to further fund the law suit.

Time and time again, we have turned to the community at large for help in supporting our kids, and we are continually overwhelmed by your support. Any amount you can donate will help this cause. Thank you in advance!