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Every child in the United States has a right to a public education. Every one. That’s straightforward, right?

If so, why is it that thousands of children statewide wait years for the supports they need so they can learn effectively in school?

After getting permission to evaluate a child for a disability — such as autism, visual impairment or a learning disability — schools have 60 days to provide that child with appropriate services and supports. That’s state law. But as the Times Union’s Kathleen Moore reports, parents and advocates say families regularly face years-long fights to get the services their kids need. Some parents say schools have pushed back against requests for disability evaluations, or conducted evaluations that don't accurately identify needs.

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That’s unconscionable, and it cannot stand. In the upcoming session, state legislators must........

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