Introduction to the Issue
Theresa Nuestro’s sons are among the thousands of Chicago Public School students who depend on special education classroom assistants to keep them safe and focused in classes. That’s why Nuestro and others were alarmed when CPS told principals last month it was changing how these assistants, known as SECAs, will be assigned to students, especially as the school district faces a $730 million budget deficit. They worry CPS is trying to find savings on the backs of their children, as has happened in the past.
The Role of SECAs in Special Education
“SECAs are the front-line responders when my son’s blood sugar levels drop to dangerously low levels,” said Nuestro, whose sons are both on the autism spectrum. One has a severe peanut allergy and the other is diabetic. “It is the SECA who communicates when my son is struggling to self-regulate. … These moments are daily life for many autistic students and without adequate SECA support, our children struggle to learn.”
Changes to SECA Assignments
CPS officials acknowledge that “significant” changes are being made. Self-contained classrooms will have fewer automatically assigned SECAs. In classes with students who have moderate needs, one will be assigned, rather than two. More could be added based on need.
Concerns About the Changes
Officials insist this is not being done to reduce costs. “My commitment in this role is to make sure that special education students have the resources they need based on our both legal and moral obligations to these students,” said Mike Sitkowski, CPS’ chief budget officer. “And so while there are some changes, I’ll say right off the bat that unequivocally, these are not related to the overall budget challenges CPS is facing.”
Background on SECA Positions
Josh Long, the head of CPS’ Office for Students with Disabilities, said he was concerned that some schools were overstaffed. CPS budgeted for 6,900 SECA positions last year, up from 3,400 just five years ago. There are 2,700 more disabled students, but with the extra positions the SECA-to-student ratios dropped from 1:15 in 2019 to 1:7 this school year.
Expert Insights
Long also points to research by University of Vermont emeritus professor of special education Michael Giangreco that found aides can thwart students. “He has talked about how paraprofessional support can sometimes inadvertently reduce student independence and reduce their ability to interact with same-age peers,” he said.
Impact on Student Independence
Giangreco’s research also shows that teachers don’t interact as much with students who have aides. When assistants who are not trained as teachers are left to instruct students, it shortchanges students, he said in a video where he outlines what he describes as an overreliance on paraprofessional support.
Inequities in SECA Allocation
In CPS, too many SECA positions can also create inequities, Long said. Schools on the South and West sides with mostly low-income students tend to have trouble finding SECAs, with one in five positions vacant in some areas, CPS records show. Meanwhile, schools on the North Side with more affluent families have all the SECA positions filled.
Joshua Long runs CPS’ Office for Students with Disabilities
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times file
Conclusion
The changes to SECA assignments have raised concerns among parents and educators, who worry that the reductions will negatively impact the education and well-being of special needs students. While CPS officials insist that the changes are not motivated by budget considerations, the history of targeting special education for cuts has created skepticism. As the school district navigates its budget challenges, it must ensure that the needs of its most vulnerable students are prioritized.
FAQs
- Q: What are SECAs and what role do they play in special education classrooms?
A: SECAs, or Special Education Classroom Assistants, are support staff who assist teachers in special education classrooms, providing individualized support to students with disabilities. - Q: Why is CPS changing the way SECAs are assigned to students?
A: According to CPS officials, the changes are intended to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and effectively, and that students receive the support they need based on their individual needs. - Q: Will the changes to SECA assignments result in cost savings for CPS?
A: CPS officials insist that the changes are not motivated by budget considerations, but some parents and educators are skeptical, given the district’s history of targeting special education for cuts. - Q: How will the changes to SECA assignments impact students with disabilities?
A: The impact of the changes on students with disabilities is a concern for many parents and educators, who worry that reduced support will negatively impact their education and well-being.
