Our children deserve better. It’s time for a new commitment to equity, reliability, and respect in special education.
As public servants, we spend a lot of time in meetings — reviewing policy, analyzing data, debating budgets. But when it comes to special education, the most powerful truths don’t live in a spreadsheet. They live in our homes, in our classrooms, and in the stories of the families who are asked to navigate a system that too often fails them.
I know this firsthand.
My daughter Amari was diagnosed with autism. Like so many parents in Prince George’s County, I didn’t just become a caregiver — I became an advocate. I had to learn the acronyms, navigate the IEP process, chase down missing services, and fight for the basics that should have been guaranteed. Her journey opened my eyes to the cracks in our systems — cracks that too many families fall through.
A System Built on Paperwork — Not People
As a former PGCPS board member and a mother, I’ve seen what happens when systems confuse compliance with compassion. Special education is not one-size-fits-all. It is supposed to be individualized, flexible, and student-centered. An IEP is not the final destination — it’s just the beginning of a shared responsibility between families and schools.
We need teachers and school leaders who are not only trained, but supported — equipped to see our most vulnerable learners not just for their challenges, but for their full potential. That requires more than policy; it demands purpose. It requires investment. It requires urgency.
And it starts with the basics.
Predictability, structure, and routine aren’t luxuries for students with disabilities — they are essential. When buses run late or don’t show up at all, it’s not just an inconvenience. It’s a disruption to learning, social development, and the emotional regulation that many students rely on.
Every failure to meet those basic needs sends a message about priorities. Right now, that message is unacceptable.
Staffing Shortages Are Equity Failures
The ongoing shortage of certified special educators and paraprofessionals is not just a hiring problem — it’s a justice issue. If we’re serious about equity, we must be serious about staffing. That means recruiting, training, and retaining qualified professionals. It means investing in mentorship and growth. And yes — it means paying them what they deserve.
We cannot allow burnout and bureaucracy to continue driving good educators away from the field. Our children deserve qualified teachers and consistent support.
What We Must Do — Together
It’s time to rethink what special education looks like in Prince George’s County — not from the top down, but from the family up. Here’s what we’re calling for:
Establish a Special Education Ombudsman Office — an independent, family-centered office to help parents understand their rights, navigate services, and raise concerns without retaliation. This office should also lead the development of family-informed feedback loops to ensure parents and guardians are true partners in shaping IEP services and school practices.
Provide systemwide professional development that emphasizes trauma-informed care, cultural responsiveness, and inclusive teaching — not just for special educators, but for all school staff.
Build reliable transportation systems that respect the needs of students with disabilities and ensure consistent access to instruction, therapies, and support services.
Strengthen pipelines for special educator recruitment — with competitive pay, growth opportunities, and intentional strategies to retain certified special educators and paraprofessionals.
It Starts With Love
We both believe that every child — regardless of ability — deserves to learn in a classroom that is inclusive, well-resourced, and grounded in equity. But real change doesn’t begin in the boardroom. It begins with listening. It begins with leadership. It begins with love.
As parents and public servants, we are committed to making Prince George’s County a place where no child is left behind — and no parent has to fight alone.
Anthony Tilghman is a father, photojournalist, former educator, education advocate, and chair of the Education Roundtable for PGCPS. Jocelyn Clarice Route is a mother, disability advocate, and former member of the Prince George’s County Board of Education.