ICYMI: Connecticut Honors Student Sues—Claims She’s Illiterate After 12 YEARS in School!
A Connecticut teen is taking her school district to court, alleging they failed to teach her to read or write despite a dyslexia diagnosis. 🌐 #News #HartfordCT #Connecticut #Education
HARTFORD, CT — Aleysha Ortiz, a 19-year-old honors student from Connecticut, has filed a lawsuit against her former school district, alleging that she graduated high school illiterate despite earning academic accolades. Ortiz, who graduated from Hartford Public High School in June with honors and secured a scholarship to the University of Connecticut, claims the Hartford public school system failed her over her 12 years as a student.
Early Struggles Ignored
Ortiz, originally from Puerto Rico, first encountered difficulties with letter, sound, and number recognition in first grade. According to the lawsuit, these early problems went unaddressed, causing her to act out in school. By sixth grade, her reading ability remained at a kindergarten or first-grade level.
The suit names the Hartford Board of Education, the City of Hartford, and Ortiz’s special education case manager, Tilda Santiago, accusing them of negligence.
In her sophomore year at Hartford Public High School, Santiago became Ortiz’s special education teacher and case manager. The lawsuit alleges that Santiago bullied, harassed, and stalked Ortiz, leading to Santiago’s eventual removal from the role.
Ortiz’s mother, Carmen Cruz, who speaks limited English, repeatedly raised concerns with the principal and school officials. Cruz relied heavily on teachers’ assurances due to her limited understanding of English and school policies.
Self-Advocacy and Late Diagnosis
By 11th grade, Ortiz began pushing for her own needs. Her teachers recommended dyslexia testing, which started just one month before graduation and concluded on her final day of high school.
The results confirmed Ortiz has dyslexia and needs targeted instruction in phonics, fluency, and reading comprehension. School district officials offered Ortiz the option to delay accepting her diploma for intensive services, but she proceeded with graduation.
A Voice Through Technology
Now a full-time student at the University of Connecticut, Ortiz has not attended classes since February 1, prioritizing mental health treatment. She is still enrolled as a student, however.
She relies on text-to-speech and speech-to-text apps to manage college assignments—tools she also used in high school. Ortiz says these apps have given her a newfound ability to express herself, opening doors she once thought were closed.
Lawsuit and School Response
Ortiz testified about her experience at a recent city council meeting, pointing to systemic failures in her education. She dreams of becoming a writer, a goal she pursues despite her challenges.
Hartford Public Schools has emphasized their dedication to supporting students and helping them achieve their potential.
The lawsuit continues to unfold as Ortiz balances her college journey with her fight for accountability from the school system that celebrated her honors while, she claims, leaving her fundamentally unprepared.
A Moment for Reflection
Aleysha Ortiz and her family deserve recognition for their resilience in facing a system that let them down, while educators and others involved warrant consideration for their roles in this unfolding story. The Hartford community, from students to parents, stands at a crossroads, grappling with questions about education and accountability that affect them all. For readers, Ortiz’s pursuit of her dreams as a writer despite immense obstacles offers a spark of optimism, showing that determination can pave a path forward even in tough times. — Jack and Kitty Norton, Founders and Editors
RELATED TOPICS: Connecticut | Lifestyle | Puerto Rico
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