No child deserves verbal abuse—full stop.

However, when the student in question is a special education student, the story becomes significantly more disturbing. Young special education students need support to thrive. They don't need to be demeaned or taken advantage of; yet, as one recent incident portrays, the parents of special education students can't always count on special education teachers to abide by these standards of care.

If you believe your student is suffering abuse at their school, don't delay. Call the Lento Law Firm Team immediately at 888.535.3686 or fill out this brief form, and we'll help you advocate for your child's rights.

What Happened? An Incident Violating the Rights of Special Education Students

The parents of students at Calcium Primary School BOCES in Watertown, New York, were recently outraged to discover that their children had been subjected to verbal abuse.

One mother attached a recording device to her child's backpack after becoming concerned about her son's in-school experiences. The recording, unfortunately, revealed that her son's educators were prone to using demeaning, harsh language around their students. Frequently uttered phrases included:

“Get over there! Sit down!”

“You know better. Rise to the occasion!”

“Do your job!”

“When I tell you to sit, you will sit!”

“My dog follows directions better.”

These phrases are both inappropriate and harmful.

The school responded swiftly. The involved staff were relieved of their duties. The children were moved to different classrooms. These were all necessary actions, but it does leave questions unanswered—the first and foremost being, simply: How can parents be sure that their children, particularly those in special education classes, are treated with respect and care?

Retain the Lento Law Firm Team to Protect Your Student's Rights

The Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm is dedicated to advocating for the rights of students, especially those who are most vulnerable. If you believe your student has been mistreated in a school setting, you need to know that you aren't alone. You also need to know that there are steps you can take to address these incidents and work toward a better academic environment for your child. We'll work closely with you to understand the unique situation you face, provide informed legal guidance, and help you take any actions necessary to protect your family.

We, like you, know that every child deserves an education where they feel safe. This means that mental and verbal abuse has absolutely no place in our educational system!

If you feel that your child's rights are being violated at school, reach out to our team without delay. You can contact the Lento Law Firm by calling 888.535.3686, or fill out this brief form to tell us more about your case.