George, a student with ADHD and a learning disability, was drawn to Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan, envisioning attending one of New York City’s prestigious institutions. Despite excelling in gifted programs, his individualized education program (IEP) with accommodations like co-taught classes posed a challenge for his Stuyvesant dream. Specialized high schools, including Stuyvesant, have historically had very low enrollment of students with disabilities, reflecting systemic barriers in admissions and support. The schools, exempt from setting aside seats for disabled students, often face legal challenges and criticism for discouraging these students. Only a small fraction of students admitted to specialized high schools have disabilities, and families frequently struggle to secure mandated accommodations in these rigorous academic environments.
He Dreamed of Attending Stuyvesant. But Getting Accommodations for his Disability Proved too Much
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