Sat, 20 Dec 2025 19:55:53 -0800 marlon from private IP, post #19124906 /all high school grad can'f read or write https://ctmirror.org/2024/12/13/aleysha-ortiz-ct-grad-cant-read-lawsuit/ Aleysha Ortiz, CT high school grad who can’t read, sues Hartford The lawsuit alleges negligent infliction of emotional distress and negligence Avatar photo by Jessika Harkay December 13, 2024 @ 3:59 pm Aleysha Ortiz graduated from Hartford Public High School without being able to read or write. Credit: Shahrzad Rasekh / CT Mirror Your support matters We are 90% funded by individual contributions. That means you create the reader-powered journalism that cuts through the noise, and delivers the trusted information Connecticut cares about. A former Hartford Public Schools student with a disability who alleges she graduated without the ability to read or write filed a lawsuit in Hartford Superior Court Friday against the City of Hartford, local board of education and a special education case manager in the district. In her complaint, Aleysha Ortiz, 19, alleges she was bullied, harassed and/or neglected by staff in the school district, including her special education case manager. The lawsuit alleges negligent infliction of emotional distress and negligence. Ortiz is seeking $3 million in damages, said her attorney, Anthony Spinella. “We’re not suing for any services. We’re not suing for their inability to teach her basic skills,” Spinella told the CT Mirror Friday. “We’re suing for the emotional damage that was caused when [Ortiz] went through the processes of trying to get [the district] to help her and how she was treated by some of the administrators and the teachers.” Cristian Corza, the deputy chief of staff for the City of Hartford, and Jennifer Hockenhull, the chair of the Hartford Board of Education, said they were unable to comment on ongoing litigation. Keep reading for free! CT Mirror stories are never behind a paywall. But we still rely on contributions from individuals to report stories like the one you're reading right now. Help us do the work. If you believe in a free press, can you start a $15/month recurring donation today? New gifts are MATCHED 2X until December 31! The legal filing marks the second lawsuit filed by Ortiz and comes months after The Connecticut Mirror published an investigation about Ortiz’s educational experience that included a review of audio recordings with district officials, her student records and other documents. In that story, Ortiz said she not only experienced educational neglect and was never provided proper services, but was also ridiculed by staff. In her first lawsuit, which was a special education due process complaint and handled by special education attorney Courtney Spencer, Ortiz sought services to learn how to read, write and other things she wasn’t taught in the public school system. Spencer said that complaint is still in process. The new complaint is rooted in allegations that Tilda Santiago, a special education case manager for Ortiz from September 2022 through May 2023, bullied and harassed the high schooler for several months. The complaint alleges that Santiago “exhibited controlling and possessive behaviors when it came to other teachers that would speak to or help [Ortiz] and would raise her voice and engage in conflict with those teachers.” The lawsuit also said that Santiago would “yell at, belittle, ridicule, and humiliate” Ortiz in front of other students or teachers, verbally abused, belittled and intimidated the student, “would stalk” her during school hours and altered her attendance records. The lawsuit also alleges that several people employed under the Hartford Board of Education did not “timely and adequately address” reports of misconduct against Ortiz. “Despite the reports to administration, nothing was done to timely and adequately address Tilda Santiago’s inappropriate and prohibited conduct, except that Assistant Principal [Elvis] Minga removed Tilda Santiago as the Plaintiff’s case worker approximately four weeks before the end of the 2022-23 school year because of the dysfunctional relationship between Tilda Santiago and the Plaintiff,” the lawsuit said. The board and several other school employees failed to report, investigate or respond to reports of bullying, harassment and suspected abuse which resulted in Ortiz experiencing psychological and emotional injuries, the lawsuit alleges. “In February 2023, because of the relentless bullying and harassment by Tilda Santiago, [Ortiz] experienced suicidal ideation and suffered an emotional breakdown and put herself at extreme risk when she opened the door of a moving vehicle,” the lawsuit said. The lawsuit also names a number of teachers and staff professionals as employees who allegedly also bullied, harassed or neglected Ortiz. “The involved teachers and administrators were aware of the [Ortiz’s] disabilities and pre-existing conditions that made her especially vulnerable and more likely to be harmed by the aforementioned conduct,” the lawsuit read, adding that school administrators put Ortiz “at risk of imminent harm of extreme emotional distress and aggravation of her underlying conditions.” Because of the district’s inaction, Ortiz has since paid for counseling and will “likely incur additional expenses for such treatment/counseling in the future, has been prevented from and deprived of the opportunity to fully enjoy her childhood … and will continue to suffer in the future,” the lawsuit alleges. Sat, 20 Dec 2025 19:58:46 -0800 marlon from private IP Reply #15529970 https://www.newsweek.com/how-did-honors-student-who-says-she-cant-read-write-get-college-2038026 How Did an Honors Student Who Says She Can’t Read or Write Get Into College? Published Feb 28, 2025 at 07:01 PM EST updated Feb 28, 2025 at 08:56 PM EST Pupils wait Pupils wait for the start of the first written test in philosophy as part of the Baccalaureat (France's high school diploma) at a school in Pari...Read More | Martin Bureau/Getty Images/Getty Images Ashley Parks By Ashley Parks Associate Editor Newsweek is a Trust Project member Aleysha Ortiz, 19, alleges she cannot read or write yet says she graduated with honors from Hartford Public High School in 2024. She has since filed a lawsuit against the Hartford Board of Education and city officials, accusing them of negligence in failing to provide adequate special education services throughout her schooling, per reporting from Connecticut's News 8 WTNH. Ortiz, who is now enrolled at the University of Connecticut (UConn), said she relied heavily on assistive technology such as speech-to-text and text-to-speech programs to complete schoolwork, according to CNN. Why It Matters Ortiz's lawsuit underscores broader concerns about systemic failures in public education, particularly in providing adequate support for students with learning disabilities. The case has drawn attention to how academic achievement is measured and whether special education students are truly receiving the skills they need to succeed beyond high school. Additionally, it raises questions about how colleges assess applicants, especially those facing severe academic challenges. Pupils wait for the start of the first written test in philosophy as part of the Baccalaureat (France's high school diploma) at a school in Paris...Read More | Martin Bureau/Getty Images/Getty Images What to Know Ortiz told CNN she was promoted through school without acquiring fundamental literacy skills. In a May 2024 city council meeting, she testified that after 12 years in Hartford Public Schools, she was unable to read or write, despite being awarded an honors diploma. Days before her graduation, school officials reportedly offered her the option to defer her diploma to receive additional support, but she declined, according to CNN. How Did She Get Into College? Her admission to UConn was possible due to the school's holistic application process, which does not require SAT scores. According to UConn admissions, the university evaluates applications based on GPA, coursework, extracurricular activities and essays. Ortiz, who told CNN she used voice-to-text software to complete her application, also received financial aid and scholarships to support her education. Once in college, Ortiz faced academic difficulties. She shared with CNN that while UConn has provided support services, she took a leave of absence starting in February 2025 for mental health reasons. She has stated she intends to return to her studies but has faced challenges in adapting to the rigor of college coursework. Experts have pointed out that Ortiz's case is not unique. Literacy advocates argue that disparities in educational resources disproportionately affect students in underfunded districts, contributing to cases where students graduate without essential skills. What People Are Saying Hartford Public Schools said in a statement to CNN: "While Hartford Public Schools cannot comment on pending litigation, we remain deeply committed to meeting the full range of needs our students bring with them when they enter our schools—and helping them reach their full potential." Anthony Spinella, Aleysha Ortiz's attorney, told the CTMirror: "We're not suing for any services. We're not suing for their inability to teach her basic skills. We're suing for the emotional damage that was caused when [Ortiz] went through the processes of trying to get [the district] to help her and how she was treated by some of the administrators and the teachers." What Happens Next Ortiz's lawsuit against the Hartford Board of Education and city officials is ongoing. The outcome could impact future policies regarding educational accountability and support for students with learning disabilities. Sat, 20 Dec 2025 20:11:01 -0800 whiteguyinchina from private IP Reply #19036166 We know a family who moved to USA so their kids could attend an American high school and then easily attend a public university. They were flanking out of school in asia but got a second chance in america. America is a great country because even mentally disabled can get degrees. Sat, 20 Dec 2025 20:24:18 -0800 marlon from private IP Reply #16696296 flunking out of school in asia hmmmm bet Asia has tougher schools Sat, 20 Dec 2025 20:27:27 -0800 marlon from private IP Reply #12996405 just seems the teachers let this happen due to virtue signaling. a white guy like me was asked to read aloud from a book during class.Replies require login.
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