Alissa Ellman

As kids across New York’s 24th District head back to school, I’m filled with joy – and concern. As a former special education teacher, I know the excitement of a fresh classroom. But I also know too many students are carrying burdens no child should bear, while our schools are asked to do more with less every year.

We’ve all seen what happens when children are denied support. Early care and intervention are necessities. A speech delay caught at age 2 can take weeks to address; if ignored until 6, it can take years. Yet our elected leaders keep shortchanging education. Parents are left paying up to 70% of their income for day care, often staffed by underpaid workers, while teachers dig into their own pockets for supplies. That’s not right.

School should be a sanctuary for k

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