July 16, 2012

Lessons Learned

You looked them in the eye, or maybe stared at your hands, and you said the words. "Yes. He will make progress here next year."

You lied, or maybe you just don't know any better. Either way, you all echoed those carefully crafted words so that you would have them on record. But none of that changes anything.

You have failed my son. And now it is time to move on.

I know you want to be able to help him. I wanted the same. I put my trust and faith in you. I gave you my son. I put his future, his entire life, in your hands. And it wasn't enough. For two years you had your chance.

At first I didn't blame you. But then we looked a little harder. We witnessed it all. We could see it wasn't right. I'm sorry--wasn't "appropriate." I can use the right words too, you know.

And we have seen what he can do when it is.

We have wasted too much time already.

It is a shame. I know many of you have the best intentions. You took the job because you wanted to help. You probably didn't know about all the bureaucracy. How you would be discouraged to do the right things. I can only imagine it. Who was it who told you "don't offer anything unless the parents ask for it first?" Who told you to find a way to show progress even when there isn't much to show? To blame him rather than take responsibility?

And now my son's education has come down to a financial decision. To legal bickering.

Do not forget there is a little boy involved.

Do not forget the time you sat around a table and made promises you knew you couldn't keep.

Do not forget the face of a child whose mother will not fail him. Even if the system did.

It's a shame.

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