In one of Maryland’s largest counties, many students with special needs are still not receiving the services taxpayers are funding. Now, one parent says the documented staffing shortages are self-inflicted.
Like most every mother, Devon Duggins wants what’s best for her daughter, Kendall.
“She is bright, brilliant,” Duggins said. “Highly intelligent.”
Kendall is in seventh grade in Prince George’s County Public Schools. She has autism and is non-verbal. While in school, Kendall requires a 1:1 aide under her federally mandated IEP, Individualized Education Program.
“How important is your daughter’s 1:1 aide?” Project Baltimore’s Chris Papst asked Duggins.
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“Super important in the sense of my daughter is, very intellectually gifted, but she also can’t tie her shoes,” replied Duggins.
When the 12-years-old first started school, Duggins told Project Baltimore she assumed the district also wanted what was best for Kendall.
“I relied on the school and the professionals to tell me what was best for my daughter,” stated Duggins.
Which she now believes was a mistake.
In September of 2024, citing staffing shortages, the school system failed to provide Kendall with a 1:1 aide. At the time, Duggins was working as a 1:1 aide in DC Public Schools. So, to help, she applied to be a 1:1 aide in neighboring Prince George’s County Schools. Duggins thought the hiring process would be quick and easy. She was wrong.
“It took several weeks to get a response,” Duggins remarked. “The application portal that they use is cumbersome. The process wasn’t clear. It would take months in order for me to go through the process.”
Duggins became so frustrated she gave up and stayed in DC Schools where she says the hiring process took about three weeks.
“There’s too much red tape,” stated Papst.
“Yes, I would absolutely agree with that,” replied Duggins. “If the recruiting process is the introduction to the experience that they’re going to have while they’re working within the system, then of course, that’s going to be a huge turnoff for a lot of people.”
Project Baltimore, for months, has been reporting Prince George’s County Public Schools appears to be in violation of federal disability law. Public schools receive additional funding from taxpayers to provide services laid out in a student’s IEP. In August, Project Baltimore first reported that 80 special needs students in Prince George’s County, who require 1:1 aides did not have one. That number, according to the district, has been cut to 35.
Who is accountable when students don’t get required services? So far, it seems – no one.
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The U.S. Department of Education said the states investigate claims of IEP violations. When Project Baltimore asked State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carey Wright in August, she gave a broad answer.
“Every district is accountable for the implementation of the IEPs of the children that reside in those districts,” Wright responded.
Prince George’s County Schools also did not take accountability but told in a statement explained it’s working to hire more aides by streamlining the hiring process and increasing salaries.
“Who do you hold responsible within the school system, when students with special needs are not getting what they need and deserve?” questioned Papst.
“In my daughter’s case, we held the school accountable,” Duggins replied. “If a school doesn’t have what they need, it is incumbent on the principal to ask for those resources. Because principals are really the leaders of every school. They’re in charge.”
Kendall eventually got her 1:1 aide. But only after Duggins says she had to strongly advocate for her daughter to get the services she needs, because the school was not doing it.