Schooling Gone Wrong: When a State Error Sends a Child with Autism to an Unregulated School

Being 19 years old, eager to learn, and suddenly finding yourself in a school with reports of neglect and abuse. That's the nightmare a Massachusetts mother, Roberta Biscan, faced when her son, Connor, who has autism, was mistakenly placed in an unregulated school in New York. Connor, described by his mother as a 'funny, smart, charming young man,' was looking forward to a specialized education. Instead, he ended up at Shrub Oak International School, a school that, unbeknownst to Biscan, lacked approval from New York state as a special education program. How could this happen? The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) mistakenly approved Shrub Oak, sending Connor and six other Massachusetts students to a school with little oversight. This raises some serious questions: Who is responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of these children? When a state sends funding to a school, shouldn't they also ensure that school meets basic standards of care? What were the red flags that DESE missed? Were there any warning signs about Shrub Oak that should have alerted them to potential problems? What happens to children who are placed in these unregulated environments? What kind of support and resources are available to them? Biscan's experience highlights the vulnerabilities of children with special needs and the importance of robust oversight in the education system. The DESE has since enhanced its review process for out-of-state schools, but this raises another question: Is this enough to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future? What other measures can be taken to protect vulnerable students? Thankfully, Connor is now thriving at a reputable school in Massachusetts. But his experience serves as a stark reminder that we need to be vigilant in ensuring that all children, especially those with special needs, receive the safe and effective education they deserve.