Nina's Fight for an Education: A Community's Embrace and a School's Refusal

Nina, a 17-year-old with severe autism, is a beloved figure in Newburyport, known for her vibrant personality and her loyal service dog, Raja. She cherishes her daily adventures with her mom, Sarah, whether it's cycling through town or swimming at the YMCA. The community embraces Nina, but there's one place where she's not welcome: her local high school.

A Community That Cares, a School That Doesn't

Newburyport Public Schools asserts that they cannot meet Nina's complex needs, despite having the necessary specialists. Instead, they propose sending her to a residential school far from home. This has left Nina out of the classroom for three years, depriving her of learning opportunities and the chance to make friends. Her parents have also faced significant financial burdens, with Sarah taking leave from work and both parents paying for extra insurance to cover therapies that should be provided by the school.

The Ongoing Struggle for Inclusive Education

Nina's story underscores the persistent challenges in educating students with disabilities, 50 years after the U.S. pledged to provide education for all. Despite her limited verbal skills, Nina is acutely aware of her surroundings and eager to engage with others. Her parents believe she could thrive in a local school, but the district insists on sending her away.

The Joors' Fight for Nina's Future

The Joors withdrew Nina from a private special education school in New Hampshire after finding it lacked structure and proper support. They notified Newburyport Public Schools in advance, and the district did not dispute their decision. However, the Joors later discovered that the district had withheld documents showing Nina's decline at the school.

Since then, the Joors have been locked in a battle with the district over Nina's education. They want her to attend school during the day and live at home, but the district continues to push for a residential school, even recommending one in another state with a high cost and a history of neglect.

The Cost of Inaction

The Joors question why the district won't invest in in-district programming for Nina. They've even offered to waive her confidentiality rights so the district could speak publicly about the situation, but the district declined. Experts agree that children with disabilities benefit from inclusive classrooms, as do their typical peers.

Nina's most recent assessment recommends a day school, but many have turned her down, citing lack of openings or inappropriate facilities. Meanwhile, the Joors are paying for critical therapies out of pocket and suing the district for failing to provide a free and appropriate public education.

A Future in Jeopardy

As Nina approaches adulthood, her parents worry about her future. They want her to be independent, but with each day out of school, that goal seems further away. The Joors are determined to fight for Nina's right to an education, but the battle has been long and exhausting.