Aleysha Ortiz's Lawsuit Highlights Educational Failures in Hartford Public Schools

Aleysha Ortiz, a 19-year-old college student from Hartford, Connecticut, is suing the Hartford Board of Education and her former special education case manager, Tilda Santiago, for negligence and emotional distress. Despite graduating from Hartford Public High School with honors, Aleysha claims she is illiterate and unable to read or write, raising concerns about the quality of education provided to students in her district.

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Born in Puerto Rico, Aleysha exhibited learning difficulties from a young age. Her mother, Carmen Cruz, moved the family to Connecticut at age five, hoping for better educational resources. However, Aleysha's struggles persisted throughout her schooling. By sixth grade, evaluations indicated she was reading at a kindergarten level. Her high school experience was marred by alleged bullying from Santiago, who Aleysha claims belittled her learning disabilities and created a hostile environment.

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Aleysha Ortiz is the central figure in this narrative, representing the challenges faced by students with learning disabilities. Tilda Santiago, her former case manager, is accused of negligence and harassment, contributing to Aleysha's educational struggles. The Hartford Board of Education is also implicated in the lawsuit for failing to provide adequate support.

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Despite her literacy challenges, Aleysha enrolled at the University of Connecticut, utilizing technology to navigate her coursework. She relied on apps for speech-to-text and text-to-speech functions, allowing her to complete assignments and communicate effectively. Aleysha's determination led her to improve her grades significantly, but she still faced difficulties in understanding written material.

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Aleysha's case has drawn attention to broader issues within the Hartford public school system, where minority enrollment was approximately 90% during the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 school years. Jesse Turner, an educator, emphasizes that the quality of special education varies significantly based on demographics and funding, highlighting systemic inequities. Aleysha's mother, Carmen Cruz, advocates for accountability in the education system, expressing her desire to prevent other families from experiencing similar challenges.

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The Hartford Public Schools have stated their commitment to meeting the diverse needs of their students but have refrained from commenting on the ongoing litigation. Jonathan Harding, chief legal officer for the City of Hartford, also declined to comment. Aleysha's lawsuit seeks compensatory damages and aims to hold school officials accountable for their alleged negligence.

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• “I decided, they (the school) had 12 years,” — Aleysha Ortiz

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• “How do I protect the special education children? Who do I go to?” — Jesse Turner

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• “People took (away) that opportunity for me to learn, and now I’m in college and I wanna take advantage of that.” — Aleysha Ortiz

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Aleysha Ortiz's lawsuit is ongoing, and she continues to advocate for improvements in the education system. Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by students with learning disabilities and the need for systemic change to ensure equitable educational opportunities for all.

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