“Why can’t I do this?” my friend said, tears rolling down his cheeks. The teacher asked him what was wrong. My friend responded by shouting, “My brain,” then adding, “I’m the only one who can’t concentrate; I'm so stupid!” Some of the class responded by saying, “No you're not. You’re a great artist.” But most responded by muttering under their breath, “He’s stupid and needs to be in a different class.” This annoyed me because the people who said this had no better grades than him. What gave them the right to judge? Having learning difficulties doesn’t make someone “stupid.” Could more people help him in my community? And in 50 years will this still be the case?

Thinking about our education system, one change I would like to see is greater equal opportunity for people with different needs. This is important to me because I would like to see people with ADHD or Dyslexia be treated with more dignity and not be simply relegated to easy classes. After all, they are just as smart as anyone else. In my school, we need more funding for programs that help people with learning disorders. I see kids next to me think they are stupid or get frustrated when they cannot read. They just need help from all of us to overcome their struggles.

Pittsburg Unified School District got sued for “disproportionately placing Black students and English learners in special education classrooms.” According to EdSource, they also did not provide them with the services they needed. Not only were they downgrading the education of people with disabilities, but they were also doing that for people of color. These students were “five times as likely to be suspended for willful defiance.” Why are we being exclusive toward people with disabilities? Everyone can learn from one another even if they have an impairment. I learned how to be a good friend from my friend with a disability. He taught me to listen and understand. He told me that the world has a way of getting things around, and that if I try to understand people they will do the same. These people deserve to be taught the same as everyone else.

Sam Murphy in the San Francisco Chronicle wrote that his children were kicked out of a private preschool because of their disabilities. He had no choice but to send them to a public school, where his children struggle to catch up to students their age. The teachers get paid minimum wage and are understaffed. It should be our job to help teachers and the school district help these students. We should see that this problem is long from being solved. 

So picture this: a world where everyone is learning in a way that is challenging and fun for them. Schools with funding will generate more jobs and a better future. America grows on innovation so let's give the option to more people.