Aleysha Ortiz, a 19-year-old from Hartford, Connecticut, has filed a lawsuit against the Hartford Board of Education and the city, alleging that she graduated from Hartford Public High School without the ability to read or write. Despite earning honors and securing a college scholarship, Ortiz claims the school system’s negligence left her illiterate.
Ortiz, who moved from Puerto Rico to Hartford at the age of five, asserts that her struggles with literacy were evident throughout her schooling. In sixth grade, evaluations indicated her reading skills were at a kindergarten or first-grade level. She repeatedly requested testing for dyslexia, but these appeals were allegedly ignored until her final day of high school, when assessments confirmed significant reading deficiencies.
The lawsuit also accuses Ortiz’s special education case manager, Tilda Santiago, of bullying and harassment. Ortiz alleges that Santiago ridiculed her learning disability, yelled at her, and stalked her during school hours. These actions reportedly led to severe emotional distress, including suicidal thoughts.
In response to Ortiz’s situation, Connecticut Republican lawmakers have demanded accountability from the state’s Department of Education. State Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding and Senator Eric Berthel questioned how Ortiz could graduate while being illiterate and highlighted systemic failures in providing appropriate educational support.
Ortiz’s case has ignited a broader discussion about educational standards and the effectiveness of support for students with learning disabilities. As the lawsuit progresses, it underscores the critical need for school systems to ensure all students acquire fundamental literacy skills before graduation.
