Cost-effective autism education = watered down education

The Bergenfield School district in Bergen County, New Jersey, is partnering with two other towns, Dumont and New Milford, to open a new program for students with autism in Fall 2006, according to an article in the North Jersey Media Group. The program will be housed at a public school in Bergenfield and contain two classes for students between 3 and 6 years old for a total of 12 students.

Aaron Graham, Bergen County superintendent of schools, is quoted as saying that “‘We are stronger together than we are individually….This is a win-win for all of us. But the ultimate winners are these little children with autism.’”

Actually, the real winners are the school districts and taxpayers. Currently, 40 autistic children from Bergenfield are sent out of district, “an expensive proposition for taxpayers. The new program is aimed at cutting costs while keeping the level of education high.” Out-of-district placements cost from $59,000 to $200,000; in the new in-district program, the cost will amount to less than $50,000 per child.

“‘But I don’t want this to be about money,’” Bergenfield Superintendent Michael Kuchar is quoted as saying. “‘It’s a plus that we’ll save money, but this is all about helping kids and helping families and doing it in a cost-effective way.’”

Yeah right.

The first concern in educating any child with autism—in educating any child—is not to do it “in a cost-effective way” but to provide the best possible education, whatever the price tag.

Superintendent Graham and Superintendent Kuchar–and I appeal to you as fellow educators–it is all about money. Not education.